With the New York Giants turning over their offensive scheme in 2020 under new coordinator Jason Garrett, some players will benefit more than others. Playing a lot of 12 personnel with two tight ends will likely be a focal point for Garrett, and with injuries plaguing the unit in 2019, having ample depth at tight end and wide receiver is a necessity.
That is why retaining Corey Coleman, previously of the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, and New England Patriots makes sense. Coleman tore his ACL during training camp last year, ending his season prematurely in what was supposed to be a bounce-back campaign from 2018 when he was cut by the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots before landing with the Giants in mid-October.
Coleman ended up being activated for the final eight games of the season, and while he caught just five passes, he showed the potential to earn a roster spot moving forward.
Can the New York Giants depend on Corey Coleman next season?
Coleman has dealt with consistent setbacks throughout his career, suffering a broken hand early on in Cleveland and tearing his ACL last year. He has been looking for an opportunity to showcase what he’s capable of, and the Giants continue to give him another chance. He’s a high character player who works hard year-round and considering the number of injuries the Giants endured at the position last season, having a quality reserve option is a necessity.
Coleman’s best season to date was in 2016 as a rookie first-round pick, tallying 413 yards, and three touchdowns. He has continuously regressed leading up to the 2020 campaign, where he will be a fringe roster player who could ultimately get caught in the sweeping cut rounds during training camp.
Nonetheless, Coleman has fantastic speed, running a 4.37 40 yard dash of his combine four years ago. While he is far removed from that accomplishment, Coleman could serve as a special-teams player if not at wide receiver. He’s capable of returning kicks for the Giants, who also drafted multiple players that can take over the role with more consistency. His speed ultimately might be a significant factor keeping in his retention, but nothing is set in stone as he must earn a roster spot before we can guarantee any production in 2020.