The Buffalo Bills made a splash this offseason by acquiring wide receiver DJ Moore from the Chicago Bears. This trade reshapes their passing attack, but the biggest question in Buffalo isn’t about the new guy. It’s about Keon Coleman, the second-round pick entering Year 3 who now sits lower on the depth chart.
According to The Sporting News, Coleman’s second season failed to meet hopes. Now, the pressure is on him to be the player the Buffalo Bills drafted. Many fans argue the receiver group hasn’t been good enough for Josh Allen’s arm talent.
How DJ Moore Changes the Math
The trade for Moore alters the target share in Buffalo. Moore is a proven No. 1 option who had over 130 targets in Chicago. This means Coleman’s path to more catches just got narrower. Last year, Coleman struggled to get open on the outside. His numbers were low for a second-round pick in Year 2.
Coleman’s route tree was limited in 2025. He ran mostly hitches and slants. He rarely won deep or on crossers. His target share sat below 15%, which is not what the Buffalo Bills wanted. The front office brass decided to pull the trigger on Moore because they won’t wait for Coleman to grow on his own.
Analyzing Coleman’s Trajectory
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman struggled with advanced metrics during his second year. His separation rate ranked in the bottom third of all qualifying receivers. His contested-catch rate was about 42%, which is below the league average. The offense stayed in the top 10 for EPA per play, but Josh Allen and the tight ends did the heavy lifting.
There is a silver lining. Coleman was only 21 for most of his sophomore year. Most second-round wideouts hit their stride in Year 3. Joe Brady’s scheme should give him more touches this fall. If he fixes his release off the line, he could still hit 60 catches and 800 yards for the Buffalo Bills.
Key Developments
- The Bills traded for DJ Moore to add a true top option to the room
- Coleman’s second-year target share was under 15%, causing alarm
- Analysts call the current receiver group insufficient for Josh Allen
- Coleman must now justify his high draft cost in Year 3
- The Moore deal cuts into Coleman’s expected snap count in camp
The Future of the Receiver Room
The Buffalo Bills might add one more receiver in the draft. A Day 2 pick would add even more heat for Coleman. Training camp in July is the real test. He must show he can win one-on-one and run deeper routes like posts and comebacks.
Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady will benefit from Moore’s presence. Defenses can’t just double-team Khalil Shakir now. This opens up space for Coleman on the edge. If he wins those battles, the passing game leaps forward. If not, the team may need another fix next year.
The money side is a big deal too. Moore’s deal has a high cap hit through 2027. The Buffalo Bills spent real cash to fix this spot. This puts more pressure on Coleman to provide cheap, rookie-contract production while Moore takes the bulk of the pay.
Why did the Buffalo Bills trade for DJ Moore?
The team wanted a proven No. 1 receiver to help Josh Allen. Moore had over 130 targets in Chicago and fills a void in the Buffalo Bills’ wideout room.
What must Keon Coleman do in Year 3?
He needs to improve his route running and separation. After a low target share last year, he must earn his spot on the depth chart.
Who are the main targets in the Buffalo Bills offense?
DJ Moore is now the primary target, followed by Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman, with the tight ends also playing a huge role.
What was Coleman’s contested-catch rate?
Coleman hovered around 42% in his second season, which is lower than the average for outside receivers in the NFL.
