Rookie WR Keon Coleman catches Josh Allen’s first passes

They’re probably some of the easiest accomplishments the two will connect for, but they matter just as much when it comes to building a relationship.

The Buffalo Bills began volunteer-organized team activities Tuesday, with quarterback Josh Allen and rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman among the participants. Their connection will be paramount to Buffalo’s success in the 2024 season and beyond, and it’s one that is now being established at One Bills Drive; The Bills posted a short compilation of Allen-to-Coleman completions on their X account after Tuesday’s practice.

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Coleman, who Buffalo selected with the 33rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is expected to play an immediate prominent role in the Bills’ receiving corps given the offseason departures of previous key contributors Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis . The two have combined for 1,929 receiving yards during the 2023 campaign, with Buffalo hoping to split those yards between Coleman, free agent signee Curtis Samuel, third-year contributor Khalil Shakir and second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid to try to keep the offense going. follow this season.

And Coleman certainly has the talent to account for a good chunk of that yardage — he caught 50 passes for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Florida State Seminoles last season — but he’s generally a bit raw, and one could reasonably argue wait to see some. growing pains as he learns to consistently win and separate as an alpha boundary receiver at the professional level.

All this will take time and repetition; That said, it’s nice to see him already developing a strong relationship with his new signal-caller. Hopefully the reps against the air translate well against defensive backs.