Kevin Coleman Jr. had planned a draft party for day 2 of the draft with his closest family and friends.
Unfortunately for the Missouri wideout, he went to bed Friday night undrafted, but far from broken.
“I had a party Day 2. I expected to go off Day 2, but I didn’t. But I was still blessed and happy. I went to sleep, woke up with the same mindset I had Day 2. I’m just happy to get the opportunity to play.”
And that’s all Coleman knows how to do: play.
Whether it was with Deion Sanders at Jackson State
as a freshman, as a sophomore at Louisville, as a Junior at Mississippi State, or his senior year in Missouri, all Coleman does is make plays — soaking up any and every bit of knowledge along the way.
“I enjoyed my time at every school and learned different things. As I was younger, I was just getting more mature, more consistent, learning about more things I can do just to help myself and help my team.”
Asked whether or not learning four offenses in four seasons was a problem, Coleman didn’t bat an eye.
“The four different offenses was no problem. I’m good at learning things and going out there and just executing it.”
And learning things quickly and earning the trust of the staff is exactly what Coleman Jr. and the rest of Miami’s receiving room will have to do if they want to fill the massive void left behind by Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. But Coleman Jr. admits this is a new era of Dolphins’ football with a new staff. And as a fifth-round pick, nothing is guaranteed.
“Like you said, the guys they had in the past, they’re gone, so with this new staff and everything comes opportunity. It’s just time to come there and take things day by day and compete. Like you said, everyone’s got to earn the new coaches trust. They’ve got to just earn things, so I love that opportunity that’s in front of me.”
Dolphins’ Rookie WR Kevin Coleman Jr. Hopes to Stick in Miami’s Rebuilt Receiving Room
Miami has worked this offseason to rebuild a room that lost two of the best players at the position in Hill (Released) and Waddle (Traded to Denver). It started with Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell in free agency. And then again in the draft with Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell. (Note: Bell spoke recently about his draft slide. He reminds me of AJ Brown, but that’s for another day)
Even with all those players added this offseason, there’s still a chance Coleman Jr. could make the roster and provide some type of spark as a rookie.
Sure, he doesn’t have the size like some of the other guys added to the room, but he does have experience returning kicks. And as we’ve learned in the past, special teams play can be what ultimately decides if a player makes the 53-man roster — in Miami or elsewhere.
He’s also primarily a slot WR, one who models his game after some of the greats like Antonio Brown and Amon-Ra St.Brown
“Guys I kind of watched and modeled my game after growing up, I’d say Amon-Ra St. Brown, guys like Antonio Brown with route running, Amon-Ra with strong hands and just being strong and just being very helpful on third downs.”
The hands part is something Coleman Jr doesn’t take lightly, as well as developing positive practice habits.
“The first thing you’ve got to do is catch the ball. Secure the ball, that’s everything. Eyes on the ball, catch the ball, good feet. Everything else, you’ve got to just practice hard. Practice habits are everything. You practice hard, take that serious, like you said, that’s going to be my way. I also think the same thing, so got to take those things serious, really watch film on things and just be an open book and learn things.”
There’s no guarantee Coleman Jr. will even make Miami’s 53-man roster, but in a room with so many opportunities and a coaching staff that preaches competition, he has as good a chance as anyone to make the roster.
For the entire Kevin Coleman Jr. press conference, click HERE
What are your thoughts on the Miami Dolphins’ wide receiver room? Do you think Kevin Coleman Jr. can earn a roster spot? Do you think Miami is done adding to the receiving room? Let us know in the comments section below!
