Sammie Coates hopes to bring more than vertical game to NFL

AUBURN – Sammie Coates knows his reputation precedes him.

The former Auburn wide receiver was one of the best deep threats in college football the past two years and try as he might, Coates was not going to redefine himself leading up to the NFL Draft, which begins Thursday night in Chicago.

"The label out there as a deep threat guy, that ain't going nowhere I don't think," Coates said. "I can take the top off any defense, that's going to always be there."

Coates had 34 receptions for 741 yards with four touchdowns last season, ranking fourth nationally with 21.8 yards per reception.

According to analysis by ProFootballFocus, Coates was targeted 31 times on routes of at least 20 yards with 10 catches for 488 yards and all four of his scores last season, seventh nationally in receiving yards on deep routes. His 2.92 yards per route run against Power 5 teams ranked eighth, according to PFF.

"We found out what Sammie did well," wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig said, "and we used it."

Coates didn't want to push aside what makes him a coveted prospect, but rather emphasize it's not all he can bring to an NFL team, who will want far more from him.

When he met with teams, Coates would draw a passing play where he'd run a dig route.

"It wasn't a go or a post," he said. "(I wanted to ) show that I don't just know deep ball routes, I can do other things.

"I'm trying to be an all-around guy. I don't want to just be a deep threat guy. I want to be a guy you can put in at any time, to be a dependable guy."

Dependability, at least of his hands, might be Coates' biggest issue though and he's not shying away from it.

"I'm a freak athlete that can't catch," he said, referring to criticism he's heard leading up to the Draft. "It's like motivation. … Somebody will tell you can't and so you want to prove them wrong, right? That was my goal, just to prove everybody wrong."

Coates' physical traits stack up among the best at the position. His 131-inch broad jump and 41-inch vertical jump were third and fourth best among wide receivers, respectively, at the NFL Combine and 4.43 second 40-yard dash tied for 11th best at wide out.

But because of his hands most prognosticators have Coates coming of the board during the second or third round on Friday.

"Sammie Coates tests like a 1 and the drops are a concern," ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said. "He's the kind of guy (if) concentration level improves, he's got the frame, he's got the physical qualifications to be a first-round pick. I would think Sammie Coates goes second or third round."