Bills Owner Terry Pegula Reveals Coaching Staff Pushed for Keon Coleman Draft Pick
The Buffalo Bills entered the 2024 NFL Draft with a clear mission: revitalize a receiving corps that had seen the departure of its longtime primary target, Stefon Diggs. While draft day decisions are often credited to the front office, Bills owner Terry Pegula recently revealed that the Buffalo Bills Keon Coleman draft pick was heavily championed by head coach Sean McDermott and his coaching staff.
In a recent interview regarding the team's roster construction and future outlook, Pegula provided a rare glimpse into the internal dynamics of the Bills' draft room. He emphasized that the decision to select the Florida State standout with the first pick of the second round (33rd overall) was not merely a scouting department preference, but a specific request from the individuals responsible for game-planning every Sunday.
Coaching Staff Advocacy for Keon Coleman
According to Pegula, the push for Coleman was driven by a collective vision from the coaching staff. While General Manager Brandon Beane is the architect of the roster, Pegula noted that Sean McDermott and his assistants were the most vocal proponents of bringing Coleman to Western New York. The coaches reportedly identified Coleman as a unique physical talent who could fill the void left by veteran departures.
"The coaches were the ones who were really pushing for Keon," Pegula stated. This alignment between the coaching staff and the front office is a hallmark of the Beane-McDermott era, but the explicit nature of the coaches' advocacy for Coleman highlights how specifically he was targeted for Joe Brady’s offensive scheme.
Identifying the Right Fit for the Offense
The Bills' interest in Coleman came at a time when the team needed a physical presence on the perimeter. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 213 pounds, Coleman offered a different athletic profile than the shiftier receivers already on the roster. The coaching staff reportedly valued his ability to win contested catches and his strength in the red zone, traits that were evident during his collegiate career at Florida State and Michigan State.
Despite some external concerns regarding his 40-yard dash time during the pre-draft process, the Bills' coaching staff focused on his "game speed" and his ability to separate at the point of the catch. Pegula’s comments suggest that the staff had a specific role in mind for Coleman from the moment they began evaluating his film, viewing him as a foundational piece for the next iteration of the Bills' passing attack led by Josh Allen.
The Buffalo Bills Keon Coleman Draft Pick Strategy
The journey to acquiring Coleman was not a straight line. The Bills famously traded back twice in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, eventually moving out of the first round entirely. This maneuver allowed them to accumulate additional draft capital while still positioning themselves to land the player their coaching staff coveted most.
By the time the 33rd overall pick arrived, the consensus in the building was clear. Pegula’s revelation confirms that the team felt comfortable moving back because they were confident that the player the coaches were "pushing for" would still be available. The strategy paid off, as the Bills secured Coleman and additional assets, a move that the ownership saw as a win for both the short-term roster needs and long-term organizational health.
Organizational Alignment and Trust
Terry Pegula’s comments also shed light on the level of trust he places in his leadership team. By allowing the coaching staff to have a significant say in the Buffalo Bills Keon Coleman draft pick, the organization ensured that the player would be utilized in a way that maximizes his strengths. Pegula noted that when a coaching staff is that passionate about a prospect, it makes the decision easier for ownership to sign off on the selection.
This collaborative approach extends beyond just the first-round or high-profile picks. However, the Coleman selection stands out because of the pressure surrounding the wide receiver position in Buffalo this year. With the eyes of the league on how the Bills would replace their lost production, the fact that the coaches took the lead on Coleman speaks volumes about their confidence in his development.
As the season progresses, the impact of the coaching staff's advocacy will continue to be measured by Coleman's performance on the field. For now, Terry Pegula has made it clear: Keon Coleman is a Buffalo Bill because the men in charge of the whistles saw him as the missing piece of their offensive puzzle.
