New York Giants Draft 2016 Target: Corey Coleman, Baylor Wide Receiver

NBC Sunday Night Football commentator Cris Collinsworth projects the New York Giants will draft Baylor wide receiver Corey Coleman with the tenth overall pick in the NFL Draft, stating:

"“Corey Coleman has the same sort of elite quickness and speed that Odell Beckham Jr. possesses. Do I think Coleman is as good as Beckham? No — he doesn’t have Beckham’s route running skills — but he will protect Beckham. Any team trying to double Beckham will have a real problem trying to cover Coleman one-on-one. His releases against bump-and-run are electric, and if a player misses him on the jam, the next time they’ll see him will be in the end zone…Drops are a problem, and Coleman isn’t much of a threat over the middle, but his outside play-making ability will put safeties in a real dilemma against the Giants.”"

This prediction comes as a bit of surprise. All four CBS Sports draft experts had Coleman going later in the first round, ranging from 22 to the Houston Texans to 23 with the Minnesota Vikings to 24 with the Cincinnati Bengals. NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein compared Coleman to Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown, adding:

"“Dangerous vertical talent with the ability to get over the top of defenders who fail to recognize his blazing quickness off the line of scrimmage. Coleman can get instant separation to create favorable passing windows and is one of the top playmakers in this draft. Coleman’s issues with drops near the middle of the field could be a concern if teams see him next as a slot receiver due to his lack of size. Regardless, he can line up outside and win and he offers immediate punt return help.”"

However, Arif Hasan of Cold Omaha points out that Coleman has received 29 different player comparisons, ranging from Tavon Austin to Anquan Boldin, Reggie Bush to Odell Beckham. To me, that’s a good thing for the team that gets him because defenses won’t know how to handle him. But, it’s also bad because, well, the team drafting him isn’t sure what they’re getting.

Coleman was a Consensus All-American and Fred Biletnikoff award winner in 2015, finishing first in the Big 12 in touchdowns (20, which was also the most in NCAA), and receiving yards (1,363). Corey was also a Campbell Tyler Rose Award Finalist, Maxwell Award Semi-Finalist, and Walter Camp Award Semi-Finalist. He was the Combine’s best performer in the bench press (17), vertical jump (40.5 inches), and broad jump (129 inches), receiving a grade of 6.05, good enough for third best behind Laquon Treadwell from Ole Miss and Will Fuller from Notre Dame.

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Previous to this mock draft, if anyone had the Giants drafting a wide receiver with their first pick, it was Treadwell. Before the historic free agency spending spree the Giants went on, the consensus was Big Blue would go with a pass rusher in the first round – most likely defensive end Shaq Lawson from Clemson. However, even with a poor pass rush, a lot of mocks placed Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott with the Giants due to their subpar ground attack. That sentiment was reinforced after Jerry Reese’s comments at the NFL Scouting Combine press conference.

I thought the Giants should try to get bigger at the wideout position by targeting one of these top big body receivers. Others felt Cleveland Browns phenom Josh Gordon would be worth considering in a trade. It’s possible the Giants add a veteran bargain in free agency in Anquan Boldin or James Jones. GMenHQ Co-Editor Chris Schwarz thinks the Giants might address WR by going local with Rutgers product Leonte Carroo.

With Rueben Randle visiting the Los Angeles Rams and Victor Cruz’s physical prowess in question, the Giants would be wise to draft a wide receiver and pick up a guy in free agency. Corey Coleman seems like a reach at #10, but if the Giants are comfortable going offense with the first pick and Treadwell, Fuller, and Stanley are all gone by the time they’re on the clock, it’s possible they take a chance on the Baylor Bear to complement Odell Beckham, Jr.