{"id":264421,"date":"2026-05-09T04:59:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T04:59:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/264421\/"},"modified":"2026-05-09T04:59:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T04:59:19","slug":"heres-why-kevin-coleman-jr-could-become-a-dolphins-starter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/264421\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s why Kevin Coleman Jr. could become a Dolphins starter"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first step is electric.<\/p>\n

One false move and Kevin Coleman Jr. will plant his cleats into the ground, shift his weight and head in the other direction with the quickness and fleet-footed nature of a jack rabbit.<\/p>\n

That, and cotton-soft hands \u2014 two drops in 84 targets last season while playing for the University of Missouri \u2014 is how one of the Miami Dolphins\u2019 newest receivers, one of three selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, has carved out a starting slot role for himself at all four of his college stops.<\/p>\n

His elusiveness is what attracted the Dolphins to the 22-year-old.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was an opportunity to add some explosiveness to the offense, some speed,\u201d general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said on draft night. \u201cHe can help in the return game and has been a good player in the most competitive league in college football in the SEC.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was an opportunity to add some speed, some juice to that position group.\u201d<\/p>\n

When you watch Coleman move, separate like Davone Bess once did in the Dolphins offense, it becomes clear that juice is definitely worth squeezing.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why I\u2019m predicting his slot savvy and knack for creating separation is what will make him the rookie receiver who contributes the most for the Dolphins in 2026.<\/p>\n

Caleb Douglas, Miami\u2019s first of three receivers, was the most controversial Dolphins draftee because most analysts projected him as a late-round selection, and not someone taken in the third round.<\/p>\n

However, the Dolphins were convinced enough about Douglas\u2019 blend of size, speed and athleticism to merit them passing on other receivers, selecting him 75th overall.<\/p>\n

Chris Bell, who was taken 19 picks later at 94, might have been the most popular of all the Dolphins 2026 draft picks because he was viewed as a first-round talent whose stock fell because of the ACL injury sustained in mid-November.<\/p>\n

When Bell makes a full recovery he\u2019s expected to provide the Dolphins a physical split end receiver who fits the mold of Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown. But that\u2019s going to take some time, and maybe his entire rookie season.<\/p>\n

That leaves us with Coleman, the Dolphins\u2019 second of three fifth-round picks, a slot weapon who has thrived at all four of his college stops.<\/p>\n

\u201c[He\u2019s] just a playmaker, has a great feel for the game,\u201d said Matt Winston, the Dolphins\u2019 director of college scouting. \u201cA little more undersized than some of the other receivers we\u2019ve taken, but very tough. Has a great feel for route running, spatial awareness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Because Coleman has worked exclusively as a slot receiver during his collegiate career, and has been required to learn four different offenses in four seasons, it\u2019s possible he could have a leg up on the competition.<\/p>\n

Slot receiver is typically a universal position that features plenty of crossover because most of the time the Wes Welker, Bess, Jarvis Landry types are running option routes, which simply require they escape the coverage of the nickel cornerback, and\/or drop into open zones in a defense\u2019s coverage.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why Bess and Landry earned starting roles as rookies in Miami\u2019s offense.<\/p>\n

Coleman\u2019s knack for creating separation might allow him to follow in those footsteps if he quickly develops chemistry with Miami\u2019s quarterbacks and showcases himself in practices.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you go to four different schools, you\u2019ve got to earn guys\u2019 trust, earn guys\u2019 respect. Some guys, when you first come in, might not respect you,\u201d said Coleman, who caught 198 passes for 2,501 yards and 12 touchdowns at Jackson State, Louisville, Mississippi State and Missouri, transferring every season for either a better offense, a better fit for his family, and of course more NIL money.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll look at the resume and they assume things,\u201d Coleman continued. \u201cBut when you come in [say] less words and just [speak with] actions, show guys what you\u2019re about, then they respect you.\u201d<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s the journey Coleman\u2019s beginning in Miami this weekend at Miami\u2019s rookie minicamp.<\/p>\n

Malik Washington, who caught 46 of 65 passes thrown his way last season, and turned them into 317 yards and three touchdowns, will be his main competition. But Washington\u2019s 6.9 yards per reception average, and 4.9 yards per target average leaves plenty to be desired. It\u2019s possible that Washington might also challenge Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert, the two veteran free agent receivers the Dolphins added this offseason, for the starting flanker or split end spot.<\/p>\n

Expect Tahj Washington, the Dolphins 2025 seventh-round pick, and A.J. Henning, an undrafted receiver Miami developed as a rookie on the practice squad last season, to also be in the mix for Miami\u2019s slot work.<\/p>\n

How all the rookies factor into the receiver equation comes down to how fast they each learn the offense, if they can stay healthy, and how quickly they adjust to the speed and physicality of the NFL game.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mind-set coming into the league is of course I\u2019m going to have that underdog mind-set,\u201d said Coleman, who also has experience as a return specialist, handling 63 punts and 20 kickoff returns in college. \u201cI\u2019ve got to go prove myself. I\u2019ve got to go make the team, earn guys\u2019 trust, earn coaches\u2019 trust.\u201d<\/p>\n

And he will need to do it one electric step at a time.<\/p>\n


\n \"Profile
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