Like the 2014 NFL Draft, the 2015 draft is littered with talented wide receiver prospects. Sammie Coates from Auburn University fits the bill as a talented wide receiver prospect.
STRENGTHS
Sammie Coates is a physical freak of a receiver. He’s big, fast, strong everything you look for physically from a wide receiver prospect. Coates aggressively attacks the ball, finding it at it’s highest point and snatching it out of the air. He excels in this area, even when draped in coverage. Coates has phenomenal body control, and uses his big frame to box out defenders from the ball.
Coates is also exceptional after the catch. He uses his speed to blow by defenders in the open field, but can also use his physicality and strength to punish would-be tacklers. Coates also has impressive wiggle and can make moves in the open field to elude oncoming defenders.
Coates’ size doesn’t only come through when he’s catching passes, he is also a willing blocker and can use his strength to gain the edge on smaller defensive backs. Here’s an example in the Tigers game versus Ole Miss.
Even though Auburn’s offense didn’t ask too much of him as a route runner, Coates shows the potential to be a great route runner at the NFL level. He’s quick in and out of his breaks, but his technique could use a little more work.
WEAKNESSES
Sammie Coates still has some work to do on his route running. Auburn ran a run first, spread option offense that didn’t ask its receivers to run through an NFL route tree. Luckily for Coates, he has the athletic ability to make up for his route running but he could still stand to improve this aspect of his game.
Sammie Coates also needs to work on consistently catching the ball. A number of times the ball will slip right through his hands or he’ll try to catch the ball with his body instead of attacking it with his hands.
Both of these issues can be fixed at the next level with proper coaching, so it shouldn’t knock him down draft boards too much.
DRAFT PROJECTION
Middle of the first round to the beginning of the second round.
Pick range: 20-40
PLAYER COMPARISON
Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens