Cam Coleman is a Heartbreaker

University of Texas transfer (from Auburn) wide receiver Cam Coleman looks the part. He has good size, long arms, and a strong frame.

Numerous draft platforms have a first-round grade on him. The Sporting News, Fox Sports, Athlon Sports, A to Z Sports, CBS, USA Today, Draftwire, Pro Football Network, The Athletic, ESPN, and Bleacher Report have all mocked him in the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft since the beginning of August (NFL Mock Draft Database).

How about me?

Umm… not so fast.

Wait…

What?

Yeah, no, I’m just not there yet. Sure, there are things I liked about Coleman when he played for Auburn in 2025, but I also have some concerns that popped up consistently. Stuff that’s gnawing at my gut.

No doubt⎯

He’s talented.

No question⎯

Coleman is a tougher evaluation.

This is why I like my process of marinating in the game film of every play from every game in a season before sitting down to type.

What are some of the positives?

• Big presence
• High energy level
• Fluid
• Athletic
• Legit threat at the short, intermediate, and deep route levels
• Good straight-line speed
• Can accelerate quickly from a stopped position
• Competitive at picking up additional yardage after receptions

Anything else?

Yeah⎯

This could be added to that list of positives, but I think it should stand alone. Coleman creates separation most of the time.

For starters⎯

Coleman drives hard off the line of scrimmage. So hard that opposing corners are forced to respect him when he’s coming downhill at them. This makes him especially effective at comeback routes when he can slam on the brakes and come back downhill.

This was his signature route.

From there⎯

Coleman can also create separation by bending route stems, boxing out corners, or simply outmuscling them, which is something he seems to enjoy. He likes to get physical.

All that is great.

So what’s the problem?

It’s actually problems, as in more than one.

1. Has a bad habit of dropping passes he shouldn’t drop

2. He doesn’t always end up on a route where he’s supposed to be

3. He jumps unnecessarily for the ball sometimes when he doesn’t have to

Ominous sign

Coleman is gifted, and Coleman knows it. He has a tendency to get complacent. He makes some insane-looking catches, but then drops a pass that hits him square in the hands.

Based on this⎯

I need to park him outside of the first round on my board.

For now.

The name Quentin Johnston popped into my head when I was evaluating Coleman. I wasn’t a big fan of Johnston or his hands of stone, and ended up putting a third-round grade on him prior to the 2023 NFL Draft. Johnston went first round to the Chargers (No. 21).

Johnston NFL catch percentage (Rotowire):

• 2023: 38 catches/67 targets (56.7%)
• 2024: 55 catches/91 targets (60.4%)
• 2025: 51 catches/84 targets (60.7%)

I’m not saying Coleman is Johnston, but just the fact that Johnston was going through my mind when I was watching Coleman is a bad sign.

What was Coleman’s catch percentage in 2025 at Auburn? Per Rotowire, Coleman caught 56 passes, and he was targeted 90 times (62.2%).

Then this happened.

#8 Cam Coleman (jersey number at Auburn), 6-foot-3, 204 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2026 Fall Grade: Second-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a First-Round prospect as of September 17, 2026

2025 game film evaluated: Baylor, Ball State, South Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Georgia, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Mercer, and Alabama (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Note: Inconsistent game-to-game production

2027 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Alpha male prospect. Lines up mostly outside. Sometimes inside. Crisp change of direction at route breakpoints. Nimble. Does a good job of carrying defenders away from other intended receivers and on running plays. Aggressive with the ball in his hands. Looks good running stop-and-go routes deep. Solid blocker.

What to watch for during the 2026 college football season

1. Is he dropping the easy ones?

2. Does it look like he is at the designed “catch point” on routes?

3. Jumping unnecessarily for passes?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as appearing as a guest on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and Fearless with Jason Whitlock. Featured in USA Today. For more information, visit whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.