Mel Kiper Jr. evaluates Sammie Coates, D'haquille Williams

AUBURN -- Sammie Coates and D'haquille Williams have not stated whether they'll return for their senior seasons or declare for the NFL Draft, but if they do, they are currently fringe first-round picks, at best, in the eyes of ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.

The NFL Draft guru sees both Auburn junior wide receivers in the same light as far as where they would be selected in this year's draft, should they choose to leave.

"I think they're both similar in terms of where they'll go, maybe late one but probably early to mid two," Kiper said on a conference call Thursday. "But like I said with strong workouts, I think you saw all these receivers this year do a great job, some were major bargains. That could be the case with these two if they drop into the second round with late first not remote, but a possibility."

Underclassmen reportedly have until Jan. 15 to declare for this year's draft.

Williams, who is undecided about his plans for next season, led Auburn with 45 receptions for 730 yards and five touchdowns despite missing two-plus games with a sprained right MCL. The 6-foot-2 216 pound Williams was a regular target over the middle for Nick Marshall this season, showing a physicality Coates did not.

"The talent level's there," Kiper said. "The smaller corners in the NFL are going to have trouble with him but he's got to round off his game. He's got to become more complete. He's got to understand the intricacies of playing the receiver position. It's not just running down the field and making a play; there's a lot more into it and they'll all have to learn that but I think he more than any other, he's only had one year at the major college level. If he comes out I'd say second round."

Coates had 30 catches for 717 yards and four touchdowns while coping with a hamstring injury for much of the season. He's speed and ability to stretch the field reminds Kiper of former Auburn wide out Alexander Wright, whose blazing fast time made him a second-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990 NFL Draft.

"He's not as polished in terms of route running and consistency but he can beat you vertically down the field and that presents great value," Kiper said. "I think he's a second-round pick, Coates, maybe a little higher if he has a great workout you would expect, maybe late first."

Kiper doesn't see either Coates or Williams being able to change a lot about their evaluations should they choose to return for their senior seasons, though he feels it's possible for either to move up based on currently unknown measures such as 40-yard dash times, vertical leap and the other NFL Combine tests.

Should Coates or Williams enter the draft, how they perform at the Combine in February or Auburn's Pro Day in March would have a big impact on their evaluations, as underclassmen cannot take part in the numerous collegiate all-star games.

"It's not out of the question they could be late first-round picks," Kiper said. "I mean they're going to both test pretty well, you would think. Sammie can fly. We'll see what Duke does. We don't have measurables on either of them yet but you're projecting them to have some real good physical ability. Sammie should be one of the fastest wide receivers in this draft."