Brandon Beane Targets Keon Coleman for 2024 Draft
Buffalo Bills’ General Manager Brandon Beane has expressed significant interest in wide receiver Keon Coleman for the 2024 NFL Draft. This interest came to the forefront amidst comments made by Bills owner Terry Pegula regarding the reasons behind drafting Coleman.
Brandon Beane’s Commitment to Keon Coleman
Pegula suggested that Coleman, who the Bills selected in the second round of the draft, was a choice influenced more by the coaching staff than by Beane himself. However, recent evidence challenges this narrative.
Video Evidence from the Bills
The Bills released a video on YouTube after the draft that features Beane’s enthusiastic remarks about Coleman. In the footage, Beane repeatedly emphasizes his desire to add Coleman to the team. His interest began at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he met with Coleman and was impressed by both his skills and personality.
During this initial interaction, Beane complimented Coleman, stating, “You’re smart, you know ball, and you’re quite a character.” This positivity underscored Beane’s clear inclination to draft the young wide receiver.
Combine Performance and Its Implications
At the Scouting Combine, Coleman recorded a slower-than-expected 40-yard dash time, which raised some eyebrows among NFL scouts. Nonetheless, Beane dismissed concerns about this performance. Instead, he viewed it as potentially advantageous, hoping Coleman’s slower time might cause other teams to overlook him.
- Beane remarked, “I’m glad he ran that. It’ll help to get him.”
His strategic thinking indicated a strong determination to secure Coleman for the Bills.
The Draft Decision
On the second day of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bills used their first pick to select Coleman. Beane had ample opportunity to trade the pick if he had wished to do so. However, he reconfirmed his commitment, stating that he intended to draft Coleman unless a highly attractive trade offer emerged.
“When I went to bed that night, it was like it’s Keon unless someone just blows us away,” Beane explained. “We didn’t feel anything was attractive enough for us to pass up on Keon.”
Reflection on the Decision
While Pegula and Beane may consider attributing some blame for drafting Coleman to previous head coach Sean McDermott, it’s clear that Beane was resolute in his choice at the time. Both Pegula’s statements and Beane’s expressed enthusiasm reveal a complex dynamic surrounding the decision to bring Coleman to Buffalo.
As the Bills move forward, the impacts of the 2024 Draft and Coleman’s performance will continue to be under scrutiny from fans and analysts alike.
