49ers Scouting: Is Texas WR Cam Coleman a First-Round Target Despite His Mediocre Production?

Texas wide receiver Cam Coleman will be one of the 2027 NFL Draft’s most contentious players if he declares. The upside is clear with his superhuman athleticism, contested-catch dominance, and route running. However, the production doesn’t match. Because of this, he could fall to the San Francisco 49ers in the late first round, where he would be a steal.

Coleman, the former five-star recruit, started his career at Auburn. He was a productive player for the Tigers, tallying 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns in two seasons. But he couldn’t separate himself from their dysfunctional offense, leading to his entering the transfer portal.

Coleman committed to Texas, where he was expected to thrive with Arch Manning at quarterback. Sadly, things haven’t gone as anticipated. He’s been good, with 23 receptions for 409 yards and seven touchdowns, but isn’t the game-changing threat he was meant to be. Luckily for him, the season isn’t over, and there is plenty of time to improve.

Still, Coleman’s film doesn’t match the production. He’s been an explosive threat; he just hasn’t connected with Manning yet. So, despite his stock trending down, he’s still worthy of a first-round pick.

Coleman, the six-foot-three, 201-pound junior, is an absurd athlete. He pairs dangerous vertical speed with instant acceleration/decerleration. This same ability is evident after the catch, where he makes defenders miss with both elusiveness and power.

Cornerbacks struggle to stop Coleman in one-on-one situations. He expertly high-points the ball, then uses his reliable hands to secure the catch. He’s made multiple highlight-level plays and turns 50/50 balls into 75/25 ones.

Coleman is an amazing route runner for his size. He expertly stems defenders and attacks their leverage. He has snappy routes and consistently finds soft spots in zone coverage. Beyond this, he uses his physicality to create separation, riding the line perfectly and not getting penalized, especially at the catch point.

The 49ers have a veteran-heavy receiver room. They traded for Keenan Allen to join Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel. Beyond this, former first-round pick Ricky Pearsall has potential, but he can’t stay healthy. As a result, they must infuse the position with young talent and give Brock Purdy weapons, not just for now, but for the foreseeable future.

It’s still early, and some fans may scoff at the selection, but Cam Coleman is an attractive selection for the 49ers in the 2027 NFL Draft. Regardless of his mediocre production, Coleman could be a steal and would give Kyle Shanahan a dynamic receiver.