Corey Coleman once had the world at his feet. Fast, explosive, and exciting, he was the kind of wide receiver that made fans sit up and take notice. When the Cleveland Browns selected him in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, many believed he would be their next big star. But nearly a decade later, Coleman’s name has faded from the headlines, replaced by a quiet story that’s part cautionary tale, part mystery.
So what happened to Corey Coleman? Where did things go wrong, and what is he doing now? Let’s take a deep dive into the story of a player who once had it all — and how it slipped away.
Corey Coleman was born on July 6, 1994, in Dallas, Texas. He attended high school at J.J. Pearce in Richardson, where he quickly stood out as a talented athlete. He didn’t just excel in football — Coleman also ran track, and his speed was electric. That quickness would become his calling card.
He chose to play college football at Baylor University, and it was there that he truly exploded onto the national stage. Under the fast-paced, pass-heavy system at Baylor, Coleman became a touchdown machine. In 2015, he won the prestigious Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the best wide receiver in college football. He finished that season with 20 touchdown catches, leading the nation.
NFL scouts were impressed. Coleman was only 5’11”, but his speed and playmaking ability made him a dangerous threat downfield. The Cleveland Browns made him the 15th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He was the first wide receiver taken that year — ahead of names like Michael Thomas and Tyreek Hill.
Unfortunately for Coleman, the NFL transition wasn’t smooth. He joined a Cleveland Browns team that was in disarray. The quarterback situation was unstable, and the offense lacked rhythm and direction. Coleman showed flashes of his talent, including a 104-yard, two-touchdown game against the Ravens early in his rookie season. But injuries quickly became a problem.
He broke his hand during his rookie year and again in his second season. These injuries limited his playing time and slowed his development. In his two seasons with the Browns, Coleman played in just 19 games and caught only 56 passes for 718 yards and 5 touchdowns.
By the summer of 2018, the Browns had seen enough. In a surprise move, they traded Coleman to the Buffalo Bills for just a seventh-round draft pick. That low return showed how far his stock had fallen in just two years.
What followed for Coleman was a period of instability and uncertainty. After being traded to the Bills, he was cut within a month. Then came short stints with the New England Patriots and the New York Giants.
The Giants gave him the most consistent opportunity. In 2018, Coleman appeared in eight games for New York, mostly as a kick returner, but also as a backup receiver. He showed promise and seemed like he might carve out a role. But once again, injury struck. Coleman tore his ACL during training camp in 2019 and missed the entire season.
He returned to the Giants in 2020 but didn’t make the final roster. After that, he was out of football for a while, and his name faded from NFL conversations.
In addition to injuries and inconsistent performance, Coleman also faced some off-the-field challenges that hurt his career. In 2021, he was suspended by the NFL for six games due to a violation of the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. That suspension came just as he was trying to make a comeback and damaged his chances further.
After the suspension, teams seemed hesitant to give him another chance. By 2022, Coleman was out of the league, with no contracts and few updates about his status.
In 2023, football fans got an unexpected update: Corey Coleman signed with the UFL’s Philadelphia Stars. The United Football League (formerly USFL and XFL merged) has become a place for players to revive their careers and prove they still belong in the pros.
Coleman quickly became one of the league’s most exciting players. In his first few games, he showed the same speed and explosiveness that made him a first-round pick years ago. While the level of competition in the UFL is not the same as the NFL, Coleman’s performance sparked conversation. Was he ready for one more shot in the big league?
Unfortunately, while his UFL performances were solid, no NFL team picked him up during the 2023 or 2024 seasons. He remains unsigned, and though he hasn’t officially retired, his window for an NFL comeback may be closing.
Corey Coleman’s journey is a reminder of just how unpredictable the world of professional sports can be. Talent is important — and Coleman had plenty of it — but staying healthy, making smart choices, and landing in the right situation matter just as much.
Coleman never got the benefit of stability. Injuries hit early. He bounced between teams, learning new systems with little time to adjust. And once a player gets labeled as “injury-prone” or “inconsistent,” the NFL can be unforgiving.
Still, Coleman’s love for the game has never seemed to fade. His willingness to play in the UFL — and his success there — speaks volumes about his character and commitment.
As of early 2025, Corey Coleman remains a free agent. He is not on an NFL roster, and there has been no public word on whether he plans to continue playing in the UFL or explore coaching, training, or life outside of football.
Social media activity suggests Coleman is staying in shape and still working out regularly. He has also kept a relatively low profile — no dramatic interviews or viral posts, just a quiet focus on what comes next.
There’s always a chance that a team battling injuries during the season could call him up. Wide receivers with speed are always in demand. But even if the call never comes, Coleman’s story will remain a fascinating one.
Corey Coleman’s football journey isn’t what people expected. He went from college superstar and first-round pick to NFL journeyman to UFL hopeful in less than a decade. But while many would view that as a failure, it’s also a story of resilience.
Not everyone becomes a Hall of Famer. Not every first-rounder becomes a franchise cornerstone. But Coleman worked hard, battled through injuries, and kept chasing his dream — even when the spotlight dimmed.
And in a league as tough and competitive as the NFL, that kind of fight is something worth respecting.
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