2015 NFL Draft Profile: Sammie Coates, WR Auburn

Auburn wide receiver Sammie Coates has a lot of the characteristics that many successful NFL pass catchers have. He’s tall, strong, quick and explosive. He can help take the top off defenses with when asked to do that or he can use his freakish physical ability to make defenders miss tackles. He’s also a good blocker when asked to perform that role.

But not everything is great about him. Sammie Coates isn’t as consistent or reliable of a pass catcher as some of the other prospects in this year’s draft class. There has been criticism about his football IQ, route running ability and effort level at times. When you combine that with a 19.1% drop rate, there are plenty of reasons to hesitate on drafting Coates.

An excellent combine should help raise his draft stock back up, but I’d still be moderately surprised to see Sammie Coates be a first round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. However, a team looking for a wide receiver that has a lot of potential and could be improved with solid coaching and will pull the trigger on him.

Jan 22, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad wide receiver Sammie Coates of Auburn (18) makes a catch over defensive corner Ladarius Gunter of Miami (27) during Senior Bowl South squad practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

Combine Measurables:

Height: 6’1″
Weight: 212 pounds
Arm Length: 33 3/8″
Hand Size: 9 3/8″
40 Yard Dash: 4.43 seconds
Bench Press: 23 reps
Vertical Jump: 41″
Broad Jump: 131″
3 Cone Drill: 6.98 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.06 seconds
60 Yard Shuttle: 11.81 seconds

Draft Projection

Sammie Coates is the #39 overall prospect in the 2015 NFL Draft according to CBS Sports and is their #7 available wide receiver in the draft class.

NFL Player Comparison

NFL.com: Martavis Bryant, Pittsburgh Steelers
CBSSports.com: N/A

Fit For The Vikings

Minnesota could be looking for a wide receiver to start opposite Mike Wallace if they don’t feel Cordarrelle Patterson or Charles Johnson is the right fit. Otherwise, they could look for depth at the position.

My Take

Physically, Sammie Coates is exactly what you want from a wide receiver in the NFL, but he lacks the necessary tools to put together a complete NFL profile at this point. He could be a huge success if he can get his concentration issues under wraps, but using a first or second round selection on a player like that could be a big risk. Personally, I’d pass on him.

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