Steelers improve wide receiver depth, select Sammie Coates
Shanna Lockwood / Reuters
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The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected receiver Sammie Coates out of Auburn in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Coates possesses outstanding straight-line speed and will give opposing teams the difficult choice between him or superstar Antonio Brown downfield.
The 22-year-old may have to fight for repetitions in a deep Steelers' receiver group.
Sammie Coates Bio
Position: WR
School: Auburn
College Experience: Redshirt Junior
Height: 6-1
Weight: 212 lbs.
Age: 22
Combine Results
| Event | Result |
|---|---|
| 40-yd Dash | 4.43 sec |
| Bench Press | 23 reps |
| Vertical Jump | 41 inches |
| Broad Jump | 131 inches |
| 3-Cone Drill | 6.98 sec |
| 20-yd Shuttle | 4.06 sec |
Strengths
- Uses size well. Controls his body to shield defenders and make adjustments on deep balls.
- Very strong, as his 23 reps on the bench press at the combine illustrate.
- Doesn't shy away from contact and not afraid to get physical with the ball in his hands.
- Excellent straight-line speed. A vertical threat that has no issue shaking press coverage.
Weaknesses
- Needs to improve hands and avoid using his body to make receptions.
- Had drop issues at Auburn and has a tendency to double catch the football.
- Must work back to the football more when the quarterback is forced to scramble outside the pocket.
- Relied heavily on the vertical route in college. Needs to become more polished on the rest of the route tree and work more patterns into his repertoire.
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