CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Browns traded back in the 2016 NFL Draft thinking that even after giving up the No. 2 pick to the Philadelphia Eagles, they found an impactful player, wide receiver Corey Coleman, in the middle of the first round.
However, consistency has been a problem, as because of injuries, Coleman has been limited to just 19 games over his first two seasons, and there were off-the-field concerns as well, including one that resulted in a lengthy police investigation and another in an early trip home from a road game in Houston last season.
“He has just got to keep working on it,” wide receivers coach Adam Henry said after the completion of the offseason program.
PHOTOS: Cleveland Browns feel Corey Coleman has to keep working to have breakout season in 2018
While Coleman has had struggles in the past, he was consistently the second person in line during the drills throughout the offseason program, right behind Pro Bowl receiver Jarvis Landry, and the coaches have taken notice of his increased attention to detail.
“He has been out here working,” offensive coordinator Todd Haley said.
“I have seen him every day. He understands this is a big, big year in his career. Year Three is usually the make-or-break year of what kind of player you are going to be. I have made that clear to him. He understands it, and he is working hard accordingly to try to be the best that he can be.”
Already an impact player within Baylor’s offense heading into the 2015 season, Coleman set new career bests during the year when he turned 74 catches into 1,363 yards and 20 touchdowns for a Baylor team that won its first eight games of the year.
In three seasons with the Bears, Coleman turned 173 catches into 3,009 yards and 33 touchdowns.
However, after twice experiencing a broken hand during the early part of the regular season, once in practice and the next year in a game, Coleman has turned 56 receptions into 413 yards, five touchdowns and 34 first downs, including 17 each in both 2016 and 2017.
Known for his breakaway speed, the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Coleman has just eight 20-yard receptions and three 40-yard catches in his two seasons out of Baylor.
And because of Coleman’s struggles of the past, the Browns believe he is primed for a breakout season.
“That is the biggest thing that he does,” Henry said. “He comes in early. He works hard. He is taking notes. He is doing the little things, just learning the route techniques and things of that nature.
“Doing the things that he does well and to expound on that, just kind of tweaking some things. Mentally, just being in there. He is chomping at the bit. He wants more. It is just a progression each and every day.”