Browns coach Hue Jackson expects big things from second-year wide receiver Corey Coleman.
"It's time to make the next jump," Jackson told reporters Tuesday at the NFL's Annual Meeting in Phoenix. "He's very talented as we all know. His background is different. He recognizes that. He knew there was going to be some work to it. He's excited.
"He's worked extremely hard thus far this offseason, and he wants to come in and prove that last year was just what it was, his first year in the league and then he needed to understand what this league was all about, and I think he found out very quickly there's more to it than what he knew and he's looking forward it. I think he's going to take the next jump this year."
Indeed, Coleman, the 2016 first-round pick, is poised for a big role on an offense that parted ways with veteran Andrew Hawkins and leading receiver Terrelle Pryor during the offseason.
"I don't see anything changing other than the next rung in his process. He's got to go do it now," Jackson said, "because he's now seen as the guy, so he needs to go play and play well."
This all comes after a rookie campaign of highs and lows, as Coleman caught 33 passes for 413 yards and three touchdowns — including a breakout game against the Ravens in Week 2 — before breaking his hand in practice two days later.
"It set him back. Anytime you're a rookie and you start playing and all of a sudden you don't practice, it's just different," Jackson said.
"I think his rookie year was OK, not great. We all have different expectations for a first-round draft pick. But we see the potential of what he can be and what he will be and he's doing the work right now that it takes to get there."
Coleman is part of a new-look wide receivers group that includes veteran and former Ram Kenny Britt (who signed earlier this month), 2016 draftees in Ricardo Louis, Rashard Higgins and Jordan Payton and newcomers in Mario Alford, James Wright and Rannell Hall, who missed last season with a broken leg.
Coleman is expected to help lead the pack.
"No question." Jackson said when asked of that dynamic, "but he's got to work to earn that and there's a lot of work to be done."
