There was some notable concern with the level of wide receiver play entering the season for the Buffalo Bills. The organization moved on from Stefon Diggs in the offseason and selected Keon Coleman with the 33rd overall pick in this year’s draft as part of the plan to replace his production.
Through the opening five weeks of the season, Coleman has tallied just nine receptions for 175 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
The Buffalo Bills will step into center stage this week on Monday Night Football in a matchup with the New York Jets. As you seek to maximize your fantasy football lineups, this is a week in which it may be best to keep the rookie pass catcher on your bench.
Keon Coleman Week 6 Fantasy Football Outlook
The most notable storyline impacting Coleman’s outlook is the status of Khalil Shakir. The three-year veteran missed last week due to an ankle injury and is questionable for this matchup. Shakir was a limited participant at practice and his status will be one to monitor as the game gets closer.
However, Coleman did not see a significant bump in production last week without Shakir on the field. While fantasy owners were rewarded with a 49-yard touchdown reception, this marked his only catch of the game.
The rookie has not been targeted more than five times in a game and has yet to record more than 51 receiving yards in a game. The Bills are also set to face a tough Jets defense which currently ranks 5th in points allowed and 2nd in total yards given up. It is to be determined how the firing of a defensive-minded coach Robert Saleh impacts this, but the level of talent on the defensive unit remains unchanged.
Even more concerning than the level of production is the lack of targets that Coleman has received. He ranks 4th on the team in targets- trailing Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir, and Mack Hollins. This also occurs while Coleman has been on the field for an average of 66% of offensive snaps and recorded as many as 91% in Week 2.
Despite plenty of praise for Coleman’s body control and catch radius during training camp, he seems to be reserved for a boom-or-bust style of player. He ranks 62nd among wide receivers in fantasy football production on the season and is fairly touchdown-dependent on his impact being adequate.
While his case will be helped if Shakir is not able to suit up, Coleman has not done enough to prove he is a reliable fantasy football starting wide receiver. Don’t give up on him completely just yet, but keep him in a bench role for the time being until he fully gets on the same page with Josh Allen and grows into a larger part of the offense.
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