2014 NFL Draft: Prospect Profile -- Brandon Coleman, WR, Rutgers

With the likely departure of Louis Murphy Jr and potential departure of Hakeem Nicks via Free Agency, as well as the the voiding of Brandon Myers' contract, the New York Giants have a grand total of five receiving options on the roster.

That, combined with John Mara's insistence that the offense will be fixed, makes it seem possible that GM Jerry Reese will invest multiple picks in pass catchers come the the NFL Draft in May. This is an incredibly deep receiver class, meaning that multiple picks could be used to restock Eli's armory.

So, with that in mind, let's use today's 2014 NFL Draft prospect profile to take a look at potential mid-round option, Brandon Coleman.

Pros

- Massive wide receiver at 6-foot-6, 225 pounds. Plays that big with a huge catch radius.

- Long strides eat up yardage downfield.

- Flashes surprising agility for a receiver his size.

- Physical receiver, able to use his frame to box out defenders, fight off jams, and break arm tackles for YAC.

- Runs a more full route tree than most college receivers

- Plays both outside and slot receiver.

Cons

- Maddeningly inconsistent hands.

- Size means that stop/start quickness is lacking compared to smaller receivers.

- Routes aren't as sharp you would like.

- Isn't explosive off the line.

Does He Fit With The Giants?

I think so.

While Coleman could have been a lock as a first-round pick with a strong 2013, he didn't take the next step that people were expecting.

His hands have remained inconsistent, Coleman sometimes commits the cardinal sin of letting the ball into his body, but then he will also flash the ability to pluck the ball out of the air well away from his body. Also, he has a tendency to round his routes off.

That has dropped his stock down to a third-rounder or even a Day 3 pick.

That being said, Coleman's size alone makes him a red zone threat, which is something the Giants are sorely lacking. Likewise, his ability to play inside or outside gives him the versatility that the Giants covet. Coleman's route tree is more developed than what many prospects have coming out, which means that he could be ready to step in and contribute earlier than other rookies might be.

Finally, with the hiring of Ben McAdoo as offensive coordinator and the incorporation of West Coast concepts into the Giants' offensive scheme (the extent of which we don't know yet) means that it is likely that the slant route would be reintroduced into the offensive repertoire, which is a route that Coleman runs extremely well. Also, his size suggests a capable down-field blocker on screen passes, in addition to being a downfield threat.

Prospect Video

Brandon Coleman vs Louisville,VT,Cincinnati 2012 (via JPDraftJedi)

Big Board Rankings

Big Blue View - Not in top 50

Mocking The Draft - 54th

CBS Sports - 147th

Draft Countdown - Not Ranked

Draft Tek - 75th

Final Thoughts

There was talk going into the 2013 season that Coleman could challenge Sammy Watkins and Marqise Lee for the crown of "Best Receiver in The Country". However, he failed to take that next step that everyone was waiting for. His production dropped and his hands remained somewhat inconsistent. While Rutgers' quarterback play was uninspiring at best, Coleman bears plenty of responsibility for his play taking a step back in 2013.

Coleman's blend of size, speed, and physicality are intriguing, If he can address whatever problems kept him from taking the next step last year, he could become a steal for whichever team selects him come May.