3 major costs to the Buffalo Bills' whiffed draft pick of Keon Coleman

Billy Heyen

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3 major costs to the Buffalo Bills' whiffed draft pick of Keon Coleman image

Maybe Keon Coleman comes back from this.

Maybe the Buffalo Bills' second-year wide receiver figures things out after he was benched on Sunday for being late to a team meeting.

But if he doesn't, then the Buffalo Bills used the No. 33 overall pick (first pick in the second round) in the 2024 NFL Draft on a player who didn't pan out.

And if that's the case, the cost could prove severe.

Here's a look at three parts of this that could prove costly if Coleman never comes around.

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The Mack Hollins decision

The Bills' Super Bowl chances probably  don't rest on the fact that they don't have Mack Hollins anymore.

But man, the dude was a useful player. He caught the most TDs of any Bills WR in 2024, he's a great blocker and his energy was embraced by his teammates.

The Bills felt that Coleman's potential emergence in 2025 made Hollins expendable. And not only did Hollins leave, but he went to the AFC East-leading Patriots, where he's been as solid as expected.

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2024 NFL Draft other WRs

Coleman went 33rd.

Right after him was Ladd McConkey, who is already a star for the Los Angeles Chargers.

To be fair, it could've been worse. The three wideouts taken after McConkey were Ja'Lynn Polk, Adonai Mitchell and Malachi Corley, none of whom are with their original team.

But the Bills didn't necessarily need to take a receiver. Their current team would be benefiting more if they had grabbed DT T'Vondre Sweat (pick 38) or DB Cooper DeJean (pick 40).

It isn't aging as the greatest second round ever. But Coleman isn't currently helping that cause.

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Will Josh Allen win a Super Bowl?

This is the big one, of course. Everything the Bills do impacts the chances of winning a Super Bowl while they've got the best player in football on their team.

Every whiff, every mistake, runs the risk of failing to take full advantage of No. 17's talents.

It was a good idea to try and get Allen an on-the-rise running mate who could grow into a star. Coleman was a logical pick for that reason.

But if it doesn't work out, no matter whose fault it is, it's one more thing limiting Allen's chances of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. And that's never good.

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Staff Writer