The Miami Dolphins concluded the team’s official minicamp earlier this week, and there was plenty of news regarding the team’s top stars. However, it was a late-round draft pick at the wide receiver position who was surprising those in attendance in a good way.
Kevin Coleman Jr. was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth-round of the 2026 NFL Draft after a three-year collegiate career at Louisville, Mississippi State and Missouri. During his time in college, Coleman Jr. caught 166 passes for
2,026 yards and 9 touchdowns in 39 games — primarily playing from the slot.
Coleman Jr. wasn’t even the first receiver selected by Miami in this year’s selection process. Caleb Douglas (Texas Tech) and Chris Bell (Louisville) were both taken in the third-round by the Dolphins — yet, it has been Coleman Jr. who has stood out during camp.
Travis Wingfield of Miami’s own media team said the former Missouri receiver had a strong week at minicamp and “has shown a knack for uncovering early and being a dependable target for his quarterbacks.” Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald has stated that Coleman Jr.’s first step is “electric.” Alain Poupart of Sports Illustrated said the 5’11”, 180 lb pass catcher has been Miami’s second most impressive receiver this offseason behind only Malik Washington.
“Of the three rookie draft picks at wide receiver, Coleman was the one who stood out, and that was even before Caleb Douglas was sidelined by an undisclosed injury. Coleman actually might have been the second-most impressive wide receiver of the spring behind Washington,” wrote Poupart.
We’ll see if Coleman Jr. can continue to impress when the Dolphins return from a summer break. If Miami uncovered a gem with the 177th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, it will help an offense that has undergone a serious makeover this offseason and is in need of some star power.
