DKphin
Club Member
WR Sammie Coates, Auburn 6-2 213lbs.
[video=youtube;ZQoy6Zspcig]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQoy6Zspcig&x-yt-ts=1422040409&x-yt-cl=84637285[/video]
[video=youtube;ZQoy6Zspcig]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQoy6Zspcig&x-yt-ts=1422040409&x-yt-cl=84637285[/video]
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1824794/sammie-coatesSTRENGTHS: Freakish blend of size, speed and strength. Reportedly has been clocked in the 4.3s in the 40-yard dash and this speed is apparent on the field.
He's strong enough to fight through press coverage and accelerates fluidly. Coates tracks the ball well over his shoulder and can pull away from defenders to capitalize when he has the ball. Explosive leaping ability.
He's unique in that Coates combines this speed with a muscle-packed frame that makes him every bit as likely to shove defenders to the ground as run away from them. He can extend and pluck fastballs outside of his frame and tracks the ball well over his shoulder. Malzahn's scheme calls for his receivers to block often and he is a physical and alert in this role.
WEAKNESSES: Doesn't explode out of his breaks consistently and simply isn't as reliable catching passes when working his way back to the quarterback. This is why has been more of a complementary threat to teammate Duke Williams, who is more reliable route-runner and pass-catcher.
Coates runs limited routes in Auburn's scheme (mostly verticals, quick outs and drags across the middle) and he could generate more separation by sinking his hips and exploding out of his cuts. He doesn't consistently sell his routes when the play calls for a run or if he thinks the pass is going another way. Occasionally he'll let an "easy" pass slip through his fingers.
IN OUR VIEW: While Coates remains a work in progress, NFL teams are frequently willing to gamble early picks on natural playmakers. He is a classic one-trick pony as a receiver. Blessed with mercurial speed for a receiver of his height and build, he might be the elite deep threat in college football.