The Pittsburgh Steelers have taken Auburn Tigers wide receiver Sammie Coates with the No. 87 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Coates is one of the more polarizing prospects in the draft, blending a terrific mix of speed and size but not always having quality production.
2015 NFL Draft: Steelers pick Sammie Coates
Coates is one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft, providing a large target downfield.
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Coates has been the top target at Auburn over the past few years, getting named All-SEC second-team in 2014. At 6’1 and 212 pounds, Coates is a big-bodied receiver who will prove a tough cover in the NFL. At the NFL Combine in February, Coates showed his tantalizing physical talent. He ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash before posting the top marks at his position on the bench press with 23 reps of 225 pounds, a 41-inch vertical jump, a 131-inch broad jump and a 4.06-second 20-yard shuttle.
So what are the drawbacks with Coates? His hands are made of granite. In 2014, Coates had an astounding drop rate of 19.1 percent. In the NFL, a number like that will get you benched before halftime of Week 1. Coates often finds himself open and then inexplicably drops the football, leaving fans to groan.
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