Height: 6’2″
Weight: 201 lbs
40 yard dash: 4.37 (projected)

NFL Comparison: Cordarrelle Patterson

Scouting Notes:

Coates had an underwhelming final season at Auburn statistically, but he showed flashes of brilliance in big games. Somewhat of a one-trick pony, Coates is a the epitome of a deep-play threat with dazzling straight-line speed and the ability to track the ball well in the air. He has issues with dropping the football at times and numerous observers of the Auburn program have opined that Coates had issues with lapses in concentration during his time with the team. Coates is going to blow everyone out of the water at the combine with his strength and quickness, and that will be his saving grace as he’s not a polished receiver. Coates’ route-running needs work, as do his hands, but he’s a simply incredible physical specimen – not in his speed alone, either. As you can see here, he’s shown he can be beastly and physical with the ball in his hands after the catch.

Fantasy Outlook:

Coates could be a star in the NFL if he’s coached up properly. Let’s pray he doesn’t go to the Vikings, because he reminds me of another physical specimen, Cordarrelle Patterson, whose potential we’ve not yet seen come to fruition at the NFL level. He could be a beast one week and then fall off of the map for the next three. Right now, Coates is like the sports car you only take out every now and then. You may not see him much, but he’ll turn heads when you do.

Of course, the Senior Bowl will be very important in our evaluations of Coates, and a big week in Mobile will likely vault him into the second round or so of early dynasty drafts.