Late-round WR prospect compared to Rams legend

[ASFN Admin]

Everyone is looking for the next unheralded receiver prospect that can be drafted in the late rounds. Not only is it satisfying for teams to find that player, but the price to have them on your team is significantly less than signing someone in free agency or using an early-round draft on him.

So, Pro Football Focus' Lauren Gray broke down mid-to-late-round receiver prospects who fit the profile of other NFL stars who were drafted after the first round. She compared Missouri wideout Kevin Coleman Jr. to Cooper Kupp, the Los Angeles Rams' legend who was a third-round pick out of Eastern Washington in 2017. Kupp now plays for the Seattle Seahawks.

While Coleman and Kupp are opposites in size and college production, both were slot stars. Coleman finished his college career with two consecutive seasons of at least 60 catches and 700 yards receiving in the SEC (Missouri and Mississippi State). In 2024, his best season, he caught 74 passes for 932 yards and an 80.1 PFF receiving grade.

Coleman earned an elite 97.6 PFF slot receiving grade over the past three seasons (second best), hauling in 149 of 200 slot targets for 1,863 yards (third most), eight touchdowns and 88 first downs (second most). Coleman ranks in the top three in missed tackles forced (47) and explosive gains from the alignment (42).

He was effective against both coverage schemes in 2025, notching 70.0-plus PFF receiving grades against man (70.1) and zone (74.4). Finally, his 88.1% separation rate over the past three seasons ranks in the 94th percentile.

If a team is looking for a receiver that fits a similar build and skillset to Kupp, then snagging Coleman in the middle rounds might be the right move. At the very least, they'll get a cheap look at a potential star at the slot position.

Could the Rams make this type of move? Potentially. L.A. has the No. 13 pick, where they might want a blue-chip prospect, but the Rams also have the No. 93 pick and some sixth- and seventh-round picks they could use to move up and take a receiver in the middle rounds.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL draft: Late-round WR prospect compared to Rams legend

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