Previewing the NY Giants’ wide receivers position group
Corey Coleman
Corey Coleman returns for year three in New York with the team. Coleman joined the NY Giants after being cut from Cleveland, Buffalo, and then New England all in the same season of 2018. Big Blue stashed Coleman on their practice squad to give him one last shot to resurrect his dying NFL career.
Coleman is a former first-round pick and Biletnikoff award winner from Baylor. He was seen as one of the 2016 Draft’s best overall prospects and the best receiver prospect. Both of those ended up completely wrong.
Corey got promoted to the team’s active roster and didn’t look back. He acted mature, he worked at his craft and took it seriously, and he ended up as a damn good kick returner who showed promise as a reserve wide receiver.
Coleman became the NY Giants’ primary kick returner and provided the special teams unit with an element of foot speed that was lacking beforehand. He returned several kicks for over 25 and 30-yard returns leaving the Giants with good field position to start drives.
Coleman also made a limited impact on offense. In his few snaps, he showed the ability to be another deep threat that can stretch defenses with his unquestioned speed. Corey’s speed has never been in question as it allowed him to be so good for so long before his football career hit a real rough patch.
Last year, Coleman tore his ACL on the first day of Training Camp amidst a disastrous week for Giants receivers as Golden Tate was suspended and Sterling Shepard broke his thumb all in the same week. He had a great opportunity to seize the #3 receiver role behind Tate and Shepard but that never materialized after his injury.
The team liked enough of what they saw in camp last year and in games in 2018 to give him another one year deal for 2020. His roster spot is by no means secure, but he can lock down the #4 receiver spot with a good camp. I expect Corey to make the team and have a legitimate role on the roster on special teams and offense.
You simply can’t teach speed and Corey has an abundance of speed and it seems he’s been humbled and matured greatly since becoming a member of the NY Giants.
I am excited to see how he’s used in 2020 and is definitely a breakout candidate to watch in training camp.