Bills wide receiver lands on lists of NFL players facing the most pressure

Keon Coleman called it a make-or-break season.

The bills/324" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Buffalo Bills wide receiver was named one of the NFL players with the most at stake entering the 2026 season by both NFL.com and Pro Football Focus.

Both sites included Coleman on lists of players facing pivotal seasons after an inconsistent start to his NFL career.

“Simply put, if Coleman doesn’t at least present glimpses of the physical presence we saw at Florida State, he may swiftly run out of opportunities in Joe Brady’s rotation,” Pro Football Focus’ wrote.

Coleman, the No. 33 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has 67 receptions for 960 yards and eight touchdowns through two seasons.

PFF pointed to the underlying numbers as a concern, noting Coleman ranked 50th out of 54 qualifying wide receivers with at least 150 targets over the last two seasons in receiving grade. He ranked in the 0th percentile in separation rate.

NFL.com also named Coleman among the league’s make-or-break players, writing that the 23-year-old needs to take “a step or two forward” entering his third season, or else he’ll “face the possibility of moving elsewhere in 2027.”

The national attention comes after Coleman already acknowledged it’s a crucial season.

“For me, it’s make or break,” Coleman said during organized team activities. “If you s—, you might not be here, simple as that. I know what I’m capable of. So, if I fall anything short of that, I’m doing myself a disservice and my team.”

Coleman’s first two seasons have been a mix of flashes and frustration.

He recorded a 100-yard game in last year’s season opener and scored a touchdown in the Bills’ final playoff game, but he also struggled with consistency and was a healthy scratch multiple times last season.

The Bills added competition this offseason, trading for D.J. Moore and drafting Skyler Bell in the fourth round. But Buffalo has continued to publicly back Coleman.

General manager Brandon Beane said after the draft that teams contacted the Bills about a possible Coleman trade, but those conversations were quickly shut down.

“We’ve hit the reset button with him,” Beane said. “I think his best year is yet to come here in 2026.”

Brady has discussed finding new ways to use Coleman, including moving the 6-foot-4 receiver around the formation and potentially creating matchups from the slot.

Coleman said he’s aware of the criticism and it doesn’t bother him.

“I ain’t scared of s—,” Coleman said. “I just what they saying. I hear it. I just don’t care.’

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Keon Coleman named one of NFL players with most at stake in 2026