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Corey Coleman: Atlanta Falcons draft profile

By John Buhler

Dec 5, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver Corey Coleman (1) is introduced before the game against the Texas Longhorns at McLane Stadium. The Longhorns defeat the Bears 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver Corey Coleman (1) is introduced before the game against the Texas Longhorns at McLane Stadium. The Longhorns defeat the Bears 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Corey Coleman was a great receiver for the Baylor Bears in college. Might the Atlanta Falcons target him at No. 17 should they want an offensive player?

While it seems extremely likely that the Atlanta Falcons will go with a defensive player with their No. 17 overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, is there any conceivable way that the Falcons choose an offensive player with their first round pick?

If the Atlanta Falcons do decide to go with an offensive player at round one, it better be at wide receiver, as the passing game dropped off under new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan‘s West Coast system in 2015. One high-end collegiate wideout the Atlanta Falcons should consider at No. 17 is the Baylor Bears’ Corey Coleman.

Coleman was a terrific vertical threat for Baylor in 2015 and was in Heisman conversations until starting quarterback Seth Russell had a season-ending neck injury. Though he is only 5’10”, Coleman could stand as the Falcons’ next receiving option to stretch the field, as Julio Jones evolves into a dominant possession receiver. Not to say that Jones can’t still go deep, but he’s better suited now as a high-volume receiver now that Roddy White is past his prime.

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While it seems that the Atlanta Falcons really like their fourth round pick from last year’s draft in Justin Hardy at wide receiver, it’s obvious that most high-octane offenses in the NFL boast at least three strong receiving options. Atlanta could have that should they want to go with Corey Coleman at No. 17.

Do expect the Atlanta Falcons to draft a receiver with one of their five draft picks in the 2016 NFL Draft, but unless they feel that Corey Coleman is the best player available at No. 17, they may have to go with a defensive player, as that area needs more of an overhauling than the receiving corps.

Then again, the Atlanta Falcons didn’t technically need Julio Jones in 2011, as Roddy White was still a Pro Bowl wideout, but the Falcons did trade up to No. 6 to take Jones out of the University of Alabama. However, Atlanta cannot afford to move up in this year’s NFL Draft, as the front office only has five picks to work with this spring.

Should the Atlanta Falcons operate under either the best player available draft model or choose to move back in the first round to acquire more picks, they may end up taking Corey Coleman in the first round under either of those circumstances. Those are the only two ways Coleman could realistically join the Atlanta Falcons as their first round pick.

Next: Jonathan Allen: Atlanta Falcons draft profile

Wide receiver is definitely a need for the 2016 Atlanta Falcons, but it isn’t a primary need for the football team. It is highly unlikely that the Atlanta Falcons will go with a player on the offensive side of the football at No. 17 this spring, but if they do, one player to keep an eye on is former Baylor Bears wide receiver Corey Coleman. Pairing him with Julio Jones on the outside could really give the Atlanta Falcons’ aerial attack flight in 2016 and beyond.

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