Keelan Cole

Las Vegas Raiders
Wide Receiver #84
Las Vegas Raiders
Wide Receiver #84

Keelan Cole News

Hauls in clutch touchdown

Cole caught both his targets for 50 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 30-24 win over the Patriots.

Analysis: New England focused on shutting down Davante Adams and succeeded, holding him to four catches for 28 yards, but Derek Carr turned to other options instead and made Cole a surprise hero when the duo connected on a game-tying 30-yard TD -- his first score of the season -- with only 32 seconds left in the fourth quarter. It's only the third time all season Cole has caught more than one pass in a game and he has yet to haul in more than two, and with Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller both returning from injured reserve this week, the veteran wideout's role in the offense doesn't figure to grow.

Dec 18, 2022 6:22 PM EST


Likely to lose out on regular snaps

Cole is expected to move out of a regular role in three-receiver sets Sunday against the Patriots after the Raiders reinstated Hunter Renfrow (oblique) from injured reserve Saturday, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Assuming he's not facing any significant snap-count restriction Sunday in his return from a five-game absence, Renfrow should operate as the Raiders' primary slot man, while Davante Adams and Mack Hollins serve as Las Vegas' main options out wide. During Renfrow's absence, Cole didn't make much of a mark in the box score; despite playing at least 50 percent of the snaps on offense in each of the past five games, he averaged just 1.4 targets per contest.

Dec 18, 2022 6:21 AM EST



Targeted once in loss

Cole caught his only target for 11 yards in Thursday's 17-16 loss to the Rams.

Analysis: Cole's lack of productivity continued as the Raiders' entire passing game struggled against the Rams, with quarterback Derek Carr completing just 11 of 20 pass attempts for 137 yards to go along with a pair of interceptions. Cole's offensive snap count could decrease dramatically Week 15 against the Patriots if fellow slot receiver Hunter Renfrow (oblique) manages to return from injured reserve.

Dec 12, 2022 7:07 AM EST


Catchless versus Chargers

Cole was not targeted in Sunday's 27-20 win over the Chargers.

Analysis: Cole failed to make an impact Sunday despite playing more than half of the Raiders' 61 offensive snaps. In the full-time slot role, he's caught just three passes for 33 yards on six targets in four games since Hunter Renfrow's (oblique) placement on injured reserve. Renfrow is eligible to return from IR on Thursday against the Rams, but his availability is uncertain with it being a short week.

Dec 5, 2022 10:09 AM EST


Two catches in overtime win

Cole caught two passes on as many targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 40-34 overtime win over the Seahawks. He also returned three punts for 11 yards.

Analysis: Cole continues to see a healthy offensive snap count in the Raiders' slot role with Hunter Renfrow (oblique) sidelined on injured reserve, but Cole's increased playing time has translated to just three catches for 33 yards on six targets over the past three weeks. Renfrow isn't eligible to return until Week 14, so Cole figures to remain directly behind fellow wide receivers Davante Adams and Mack Hollins when the Chargers travel to Las Vegas this week.

Nov 28, 2022 12:25 PM EST



Makes one grab in victory

Cole caught one of two targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 22-16 overtime win over the Broncos. He also returned four punts for 28 yards.

Analysis: Despite playing more than 40 offensive snaps again this week, Cole was held without a catch until the Raiders' final drive in regulation. Meanwhile, fellow receivers Davante Adams and Mack Hollins combined for 13 receptions on 22 targets for 193 yards and two scores. Expect Cole to continue occupying the slot against the Seahawks in Week 12.

Nov 21, 2022 11:10 AM EST


Zero catches despite 48 snaps

Cole was held without a catch on two targets in Sunday's 25-20 loss to the Colts.

Analysis: Cole was limited by a minor knee injury before returning to full participation in practice this past Thursday, but he managed to play north of 40 offensive snaps Sunday for the first time since Week 4, occupying the slot with Hunter Renfrow (oblique) on injured reserve. Cole's additional playing time didn't translate to production, however, while Davante Adams and Mack Hollins combined to see 20 targets from quarterback Derek Carr. Cole likely retains a similar role again Week 11 in Denver, but he's still low on the pecking order in the Raiders' aerial attack.

Nov 15, 2022 1:42 PM EST


Returns to full practice

Cole (knee) practiced fully Thursday, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.

Analysis: Cole was limited Wednesday, but his return to a full session Thursday puts him in line to suit up Sunday against the Colts. With both TE Darren Waller (hamstring) and WR Hunter Renfrow (hamstring/ribs) having landed on IR, there's now added snaps and targets available in the Raiders' passing game. With that in mind, Cole could see added opportunities in the coming weeks, though he'll have to compete with Mack Hollins and DJ Turner for the wide receiver looks that don't go in the direction of top option Davante Adams.

Nov 10, 2022 3:12 PM EST


Limited in practice Wednesday

Cole is suffering from a knee injury and was limited at practice Wednesday, per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com.

Analysis: Cole presumably suffered the injury in Sunday's loss to Jacksonville, when he logged nine offensive snaps but didn't see any targets or touches. The veteran wideout has played in five games this season but has tallied only three catches for 42 yards. The limited practice session Wednesday gives Cole a fair chance of playing this Sunday versus Indianapolis, but he's not expected to be a significant factor if he does take the field.

Nov 9, 2022 4:51 PM EST


Targeted five times Sunday

Cole caught two of five targets for 30 yards in Sunday's 24-0 loss to the Saints.

Analysis: Cole was mostly uninvolved until the Raiders' final drive when he saw four of his five targets from backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham in garbage time. Cole figures to remain behind Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow and Mack Hollins in the pecking order at wide receiver against the Jaguars in Week 9.

Oct 31, 2022 9:05 AM EST


Late end-zone drop Sunday

Cole caught one pass for 12 yards on four targets in Sunday's 24-22 loss to the Titans. He also returned one punt for 13 yards.

Analysis: Cole played 40 of 70 offensive snaps as he filled the slot role with Hunter Renfrow (concussion) sidelined, but the former hauled in only one of his four targets and he dropped a would-be touchdown in the end zone late in the fourth quarter. Cole's playing time figures to decrease significantly upon Renfrow's eventual return, which could come Week 4 against the Broncos.

Sep 26, 2022 8:47 AM EST


Signed to active roster

The Raiders signed Cole to their active roster Wednesday.

Analysis: Cole landed a practice-squad deal with Las Vegas after being released by the Raiders ahead of the 53-man roster deadline. The undrafted wideout has eclipsed 350 receiving yards in each of his first five NFL seasons, but it'll be difficult for Cole to garner many targets behind Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller.

Sep 14, 2022 2:09 PM EST


Signs practice-squad deal

The Raiders signed Cole to their practice squad Tuesday.

Analysis: Cole was released by the Raiders ahead of the 53-man roster deadline but will return to the organization on a practice-squad deal. The undrafted wideout has eclipsed 350 receiving yards in each of his first five seasons in the NFL, so he'll be a likely candidate for elevation on a weekly basis, though it'll be difficult to garner many targets behind Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller.

Sep 6, 2022 1:55 PM EST


Released by Vegas

The Raiders released Cole on Tuesday, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Fellow veterans Mack Hollins and Tyron Johnson seem to have beat out Cole for depth WR spots on the team's initial 53-man roster. Their preseason usage suggests Hollins could be the No. 3 receiver to start the year, but it isn't a role that figures to involve many targets given that Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller (hamstring) all need to be fed. Cole is 29, but he could find work elsewhere given that he's eclipsed 350 receiving yards five times in five seasons since entering the NFL in 2017.

Aug 30, 2022 4:03 PM EST


Praised by QB

Cole's balance and route running have impressed Raiders quarterback Derek Carr early in training camp, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: "His ability on the sideline, he's really good," Carr said of Cole. "There is never a doubt if he's in or he's out." Carr also praised Cole's route running, describing Cole's routes as "really crisp." Cole has racked up at least 449 yards in four of his five NFL seasons, and he's making a strong early push for the No. 3 wide receiver role in Vegas behind fellow newcomer Davante Adams and holdover Hunter Renfrow.

Aug 1, 2022 11:13 AM EST


Joining Las Vegas

Cole agreed to a one-year contract with the Raiders on Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: The 29-year-old was with the Jets on a one-year deal in 2021 and caught 34 of 51 targets for 449 yards and one touchdown in 15 games. He'll battle Bryan Edwards and Demarcus Robinson for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart behind Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow.

May 11, 2022 4:48 PM EST


Finds end zone in loss

Cole caught all three of his targets for 54 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Bills.

Analysis: His 40-yard TD catch in the second quarter was the only real highlight on the day for the Jets, and Cole wound up being the only New York player with more than one reception. It was the 28-year-old's first touchdown of the season, and he wraps up the campaign with 28 catches on 51 targets for 449 yards, numbers that likely won't attract more than mild interest on the free-agent market this offseason.

Jan 9, 2022 9:35 PM EST


Two catches in Week 17

Cole caught two of five targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 28-24 loss to Tampa Bay.

Analysis: Cole has't caught more than two passes or reached 30 yards in a game since Week 9. Even with the Jets banged up at wide receiver around him, Cole won't be an advisable fantasy option in Week 18 against the Bills.

Jan 2, 2022 7:49 PM EST


Another quiet outing

Cole caught both of his targets for 25 yards in Sunday's 26-21 win over Jacksonville.

Analysis: Cole occupied a starting role on the outside but didn't make much of an impact in the revenge game against his former team, as the Jets ran for 273 yards and passed for only 100 in the win. With only four catches in his last three games, Cole has failed to take advantage of his hefty recent snap share, and that's unlikely to change in Week 17 against Tampa Bay.

Dec 26, 2021 4:25 PM EST


Held to one catch again

Cole caught one of two targets for nine yards and threw an incomplete pass in Sunday's 31-24 loss to the Dolphins.

Analysis: Cole tried to throw it to quarterback Zach Wilson on a trick play, but the play ended up being incomplete. The veteran wideout has just one catch in each of the past two games, but he continues to see the field often with Corey Davis (groin) and Elijah Moore (quadriceps) both out. Maybe that playing time will result in more production when the 2-12 Jaguars come to town in Week 16.

Dec 19, 2021 5:36 PM EST


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