Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. can dream that his fifth-round career will come close to the on-field sixth-round career of former NFL receiver Antonio Brown.
On game days, Coleman tries to model his game after the seven-time Pro Bowler from Miami.
"He's quick-twitch," Coleman said in a video meeting with local reporters. "He gets open, his route running, he sells things, he has double moves. Just everything, just all around game. When he was younger, his return game, he was special. His YAC (yards after catch). I just feel like he's one of the best guys to do it. So I just try to take little things and implicate it with my game."
Coleman, 5-foot-10, 179 pounds, had a 67-yard punt return for Missouri and is an established punt returner. Miami could use a punt returner that is a threat to score.
"Eyes on the ball, catch the ball, good feet, everything else, you gotta just practice hard," Coleman said. "Practice habits is everything. You practice hard, take that serious, like you said. That's gonna be my way (on to the roster). And I also think the same thing, so gotta take those things serious, really watch film on things, and just be an open book and learn things."
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Kadyn Proctor poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesDec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesDec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesOct 25, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) rushes the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn ImagesDec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) and offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesNov 22, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) catches a short pass and runs the ball during the game with Eastern Illinois at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn ImagesApr 22, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Kadyn Proctor during the NFL Draft prospects clinic at Hazelwood Green Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesMarch 25, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Offensive lineman Parker Brailsford blocks against fellow lineman Kadyn Proctor during Pro Day in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.March 25, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor runs a drill for scouts during Pro Day in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.March 25, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor runs a drill for scouts during Pro Day in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn ImagesMar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) at the vertical jump station during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesMar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images1 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickApr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Kadyn Proctor poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images1 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickApr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Kadyn Proctor poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images2 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickDec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images3 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickDec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images4 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickOct 25, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) rushes the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images5 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickDec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) and offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images6 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickNov 22, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) catches a short pass and runs the ball during the game with Eastern Illinois at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images7 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickApr 22, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Kadyn Proctor during the NFL Draft prospects clinic at Hazelwood Green Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images8 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickMarch 25, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Offensive lineman Parker Brailsford blocks against fellow lineman Kadyn Proctor during Pro Day in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.9 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickMarch 25, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor runs a drill for scouts during Pro Day in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.10 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickMarch 25, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor runs a drill for scouts during Pro Day in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.11 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickFeb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images12 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickMar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) at the vertical jump station during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images13 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickMar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesColeman played for four schools in four years. It was Jackson State to Louisville to Mississippi State to Missouri. He cited family and coaching staff-related reasons for the moves.
"When you go to four different schools, you got to earn guys trust," Coleman said, adding, "The four different offenses was no problem. I'm good at learning things and going out there and just executing it."
Coleman is a slot receiver, so he will be competing with smallish Miami veterans such as Malik Washington, Tutu Atwell and Tahj Washington for potential playing time. He believes he is a reliable target.
"Getting open, but I also say catching the ball," Coleman identified as strengths. "You'll really see me catch the ball, no matter if it's contested, over the shoulder, anything. I just, it's catching the ball."
Coleman has run a 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds. Scouts say he possesses above-average speed and toughness. He could also potentially be a weapon on reverses and end-arounds.
Coleman credited his Dad for introducing him to a "speed ladder" at 5 years old that he believes helped him to develop quick feet.
Coleman said around the same age, his Dad would have him catch hundreds of football and thousands of tennis balls each week.
"He'd throw them off the wall," Coleman said of catching tennis balls over his shoulder. "I wouldn't be looking behind me and then I'd catch the ball."
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Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins rookie Kevin Coleman may be game-breaking punt returner