2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kevin Coleman Jr. (WR – Missouri)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Missouri wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr.

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kevin Coleman Jr.

Kevin Coleman Jr. (WR – Missouri)

5’11” – 180 lbs.

Background

Four-star recruit who committed to Jackson State, where he caught 33-510-3 (15.5) as a freshman. Transferred to Louisville and posted 26-362-2 (13.9), then to Mississippi State and caught 74-932-6 (12.6). Spent his last year at Missouri, with 66-732-1 (11.1).

Positives

Slot receiver who was a four-year contributor between four different programs, with an uptick in production over his past two years. Doesn’t play much flanker, but the team does move him around in pre-snap motion. Shows quick feet to releases at the line of scrimmage. Gets up to his top speed quickly, and is fast enough to run away from cornerbacks on man-beaters like slants/overs. Looks fast through the stem, without having to gear down much. Has the toughness to work the middle of the field. Good leaper and hands-catcher away from his frame, which helps him play a bit bigger than his size would suggest; does a good job of high-pointing throws. Has a very reliable pair of hands, with just seven career drops against 200 catches. Shows good focus and toughness through contact, and actually caught almost all of his contested catches this past year (just over half throughout his career.) Gets upfield quickly after the catch, with a no-nonsense approach. Does a good job of lining up opponents in space and gives good effort through the whistle as a stalk blocker. Has also served as a punt returner throughout his career, especially from 2023 on, and ran one back for a touchdown this past year.

Negatives

Has very little experience on the outside (less than seven percent of career snaps), and given his smaller frame, will probably be viewed as a slot-only option. A lot of his production comes on manufactured touches, particularly in the screen game, and route tree/usage is heavy on underneath throws in general (motioned releases to the flats, hitches, speed outs, etc.) Didn’t face much press coverage during the games reviewed and may struggle to release and stay on time against bigger, more physical cornerbacks. Shows some tendencies to settle into coverage, rather than making adjustments to create easy completions. Competitive after the catch, but tends not to survive contact as a runner. Lack of ideal size/length/power can lead to balance issues when blocking.

Summary

A smaller slot receiver who plays a bit bigger than you’d think because of his toughness, concentration, and effort as a blocker. He was essentially an underneath option in the Tigers’ offense, with a lot of screens, hitches, and manufactured touches (often from motion), showing good speed and acceleration, a very reliable pair of hands, and a competitive, no-nonsense approach after the catch. Might have to diversify his route tree a bit more, but looks like a pretty projectable prospect since he did a lot of the things in school that you’d expect he’ll be asked to do at the pro level.

Projection: Round 5