Big versatile body fits many roles
Coleman is a strong physical rusher. With an NFL custom which places most rookies on special teams, Coleman gets strong plusses. He is big enough to shed blockers in space and fast enough to close on the opponent’s return specialist. On the receiving end, he has good size and speed to pull in the ball and go, or to set up as a downfield blocker for a good return. 223 pounds can create quite an impact when it moves at top speed.
But it doesn’t take a 20 year veteran NFL scout to be able to project Coleman’s future in the NFL as a running back. From the same high school as Napolean Kauffman, you can see similar styles in their game. Both were downfield runners, but could get to the sidelines and be doubly danger after clearing the edge. Coleman showed much more skillset in 2016.
NFL teams should not focus on just one player
Still, I am often surprised in the outcomes of the NFL Draft. Runners taken in the early rounds have no better chance, from my experience, than those taken in the latter rounds. The reason is simple. Running backs are only as good as the blocking in front of them.
So when a solid running back like Coleman arrives to compete on an NFL team with higher ranked teammates for playing time, the quality of the offensive line, coaching, weather are all equalized. All that is left are the genetics a player was born with, their ability to focus on their responsibilities in each play, and their passion for success. That is why an NFL team would be wise indeed to select a player like Lavon Coleman in the 2018 NFL Draft.