Dynasty Scouts Player Spotlight: Sammie Coates

Matt Caraccio

coates

Dynasty Scouts Player Spotlights: Sammie Coates, #18 WR Auburn
Strengths: Size, deep speed, excellent acceleration, strong hands, run after the catch ability, good releases, athleticism, ball tracking
Weaknesses: Route running, run blocking, catch point, leg injury in 2014

Who is Sammie Coates?

This year the NFL Draft will be leaving the cozy confines of Radio City Music Hall in New York City for Roosevelt University’s Auditorium Theatre in Chicago. While some of us might consider this heresy, “Chi-town” has actually hosted the event several times; the first being in1938. With the draft now making its way back to the Windy City, football fans across the globe will be glued to their televisions starting April 30th eagerly awaiting the outcome of each selection.

One of the stars of this year’s draft is Auburn wide receiver Sammie Coates. In 2013 during his sophomore season, Coates, an Alabama native, exploded onto the national stage. Leading the Southeastern Conference with 21.5 receiving yards per reception including 42 receptions for 902 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns, Coates turned heads around college football. This year, in the regular season, Coates logged thirty receptions for 717 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns, leading the SEC with 23.9 yards per reception. Although many view these totals as a step backwards, it is important to recognize that Coates has had managed a left leg injury for most of the season. However, as the year came to a close Coates began to seem like his old self again. In fact Coates’s put together a record setting performance against Alabama in this year’s Iron Bowl. Although the effort came in a Tiger loss, Coates’ two touchdowns on five catches for 206 receiving yards is an incredible exclamation point on his collegiate resume. Not bad for the unheralded three star recruit (yes I said three star) out of Leroy High School. With April 30th only four short months away the next chapter in Sammie Coates career is about to unfold.

Strengths

Possessing an NFL physique, Coates is an imposing physical prescience on the football field. At 6’2” and weighing in 201 pounds, Coates is a difficult assignment for any defensive back. Spending most of his time as the split end (or X receiver) in the Tigers’ run-centric offensive attack, Coates frequently utilized his excellent speed (estimated in the low 4.4’s) to defeat unsuspecting defenders downfield. Utilizing a great initial burst off the line of scrimmage, Coates immediately gets vertical within the first few steps. Once he enters the vertical stem of his route he can accelerate to top speed quickly; defender’s cushions literally evaporate in an instant. Primarily used at a vertical threat, Coates occasionally ran bubble screens, and dig routes. On short and intermediate routes, Coates showcases a pair of strong hands and good catch radius. As a runner after the catch Coates is both powerful and elusive. In the open field, Coates shows good vision as a runner utilizing speed and lateral quickness to set up defenders. With a blend of lower and upper body fakes, Coates shows aptitude for setting up defenders in the open field. An arsenal of jump cuts and stiff arms were frequently used to gain yards after the catch.

[am4show have=’g1;’ guest_error=’sub_message’ user_error=’sub_message’ ]

In addition, Coates displays excellent power as a runner; using his pads to punish would be tacklers. In most circumstances it took more than a glancing blow to take Coates to the ground. On deep routes, Coates shines as an NFL prospect. In order to win at the next level, an NFL wide receiver must be able to beat press coverage. The following play is an excellent example of how Coates excels in this facet of his game. The play below took place this year and the cornerback facing off against Coates (#21) is a sophomore listed at 6’1” and weighing 163 pounds. It is second and 19 on the Tiger’s 44-yard line with the ball on the right hash. The Tigers break the huddle and come out in a 10 personnel grouping (one running back, no tight ends) with trips to the open side of the field and Coates as the single receiver on the short side. LSU shows a cover 3 with the cornerbacks in press-man coverage.

coates1

The next two images show how Coates defeats a defender’s press technique. First, in the picture on the top, notice how Coates immediately gets vertical on his first step. The importance of this can not be overstated because in selling the vertical route with conviction, the receiver can immediately put a defensive back on their heels. Far too often college receivers false step (rock backwards or step backwards) prior to getting vertical; even the slightest hesitation can cost a receiver precious inches of separation. In addition, notice how Coates attacks the defender immediately with his hands. This is probably one of the most impressive parts of Coates’s game. A pre-emptive strike, like the one Coates doles out below, is extremely important because it mitigates any opportunity the cornerback has in altering or delaying the receiver’s route. In addition, notice how Coates follows up his strike by using his left hand to swat the defender’s hands away from his body immediately. Hand fighting is an essential tool for a wide receiver to develop. In order to consistently achieve a clean release at the line of scrimmage a receiver must develop sound hand fighting techniques. Too many collegiate receivers absorb the blows of defensive backs and try to win on athleticism alone; never developing any technique. While Coates is not a technician by any stretch, his instinct and technique at such an early stage of development are really promising.

coates2

coates3

In the next two images below Coates is in the midst of running his vertical route. Coates demonstrates that he can handle the physical play of a defender throughout his route with ease. Notice how Coates uses his right arm to continuously swat the defender’s hands away from his body. Coates never loses speed and maintains his separation throughout the route. At the next level Coates will rely on this skill heavily in order to create separation from defenders. This sequence really clinched in my mind that Coates can compete at a high level in the NFL. Few collegiate receivers are prepared for the physicality of the wide receiver position; Coates seems more than prepared.

coates4

coates5

The final two images really are just icing on the cake. Coates does a great job using his body to shield the defender from the ball. In addition, he tracks the ball well through the air without losing speed. Shortly there after you will notice in the picture on the right, that Coates times his leap perfectly, extends his arms away from his body and catches the ball in his fingertips (textbook).

coates6

coates7

After the reception, Coates maintains his balance and runs approximately another ten yards to score a touchdown. It is important to note that although not depicted in this example, Coates has demonstrated an ability to blend both lower and upper body fakes as well to beat press coverage. When you combine his strength, speed, acceleration, efficiency of movement, and active hands, it is easy to see why Coates projects as a potential elite vertical threat.

Weaknesses

 

Although Coates possesses strong hands and a good catch radius, Coates occasionally drops easy passes. While dropping a pass or two is not cause for a five alarm fire, the caliber of passes which Coates fails to secure are concerning. For example, Coates will at times fail to secure passes on bubble screens or even those thrown to him when he has achieved adequate separation down field. Drops of this nature are confounding to analyze. Is it concentration or technique? At this time the data is inconclusive but these instances are frequent enough to monitor as Coates progresses to the next level. Another concern is Coates limited route tree. As I stated earlier, Coates was primarily a deep threat in Auburn’s offense. The Tigers utilized him in order to keep defenses honest as they delivered blow after blow with their running attack. Any team that drafts Coates must realize that they are not getting a technician as a route runner. With next level coaching however, Coates possesses the requisite athleticism to develop into a solid route runner. In addition to improving as a route runner, Coates needs to be a more aggressive at the catch point. On comeback routes for example Coates will work his way back towards the quarterback but fail to shield the defender from the ball. In addition, he rarely extends his arms away from his body to snatch the ball from the air in theses situations. As a result defenders were afforded an extra second to attempt to break up the play. At the next level Coates will need to develop a more aggressive approach to these types of situations. An NFL quarterback needs to trust their receivers and winning in these types of situations can foster’s that trust. Finally, Coates needs to improve his run blocking technique. Coates simply seems lost at times.

Final Verdict

WAR EAGLE!! Sammie Coates has the potential to be an excellent receiver at the next level. Possessing a unique blend of size, speed and acceleration, Coates profiles as potential starting deep threat day one. What truly Coates as a prospect is the physicality with which he plays the game. As I outlined earlier, Coates already seems to possess the ability to win against tight man coverage at the NFL level. In addition, Coates abilities as a runner after the catch makes him a homerun threat anytime he touches the ball. With next level coaching, Coates’ potential is as high as any skill player in this draft. In a dynasty league rookie draft Coates is worth a late first or early second round pick.

Follow Matt Caraccio on Twitter: @Matty_OS

[/am4show]