Sammie

Coates

Coates was signed in February but didn’t make it to minicamp. He appeared in 12 games on special teams with Houston last year. Coates should eventually resurface.

Coates made one catch for the Texans back in Week 4 and hasn’t played an offensive snap since Week 13 according to Pro Football Focus. The 2015 third-round pick will need to contribute on special teams like he did with Houston to be on an active roster from here on out.

Dulac notes Coates has made several spectacular catches throughout the first week of camp, and OC Todd Haley believes those flash plays are meaningful. “It’s very important, not only for his confidence but for the confidence of the quarterback, the confidence of the staff, the confidence of the players,” Haley said. “The plays he’s made, some of those combat catches are just exactly what you want to see.” The best like-for-like replacement for Martavis Bryant (suspended) on the roster, Coates is going to have a role this season.

In addition to impressing the coaching staff, Coates is reportedly showing more confidence after admitting to reporting in "(not) good enough NFL-caliber shape” last season, which can be typical for rookies. Coates appears to have already established himself as a staple in Pittsburgh’s three-receiver sets. He could make a move on Markus Wheaton’s job in two-wide sets with continued excellence on the practice field and in preseason games.

Coates admitted his rookie season was unhinged by conditioning issues, contributing heavily to him being a weekly inactive during the year. He finally got an opportunity in the playoffs, and with Martavis Bryant’s yearlong suspension handed down, Coates has a big chance to play second fiddle to Antonio Brown. Coates is a 6'1/212 speedster with leaping skills much like Bryant.

It was a shaky night for the sophomore wideout. He was the target on Landry Jones’ first interception, running a sloppy route that got him enveloped and made for an easy defensive jump. Coates also committed an offensive pass interference penalty. The good news is, the Steelers were working to get him touches, with his run coming on an end-around. Coates is raw in a Cordarrelle Patterson mold, but is going to get every opportunity to carve out a role.

Sammie Coates has “managed to lose ground” during an up-and-down August, “partly because of a lack of focus that caused drop balls and fumbles.” The Tribune-Review notes that Markus Wheaton has “openly lobbied” to play more outside snaps, freeing up opportunity in the slot. Rogers is a slot receiver, while Coates plays outside. The Steelers’ wideout distribution will be worth tracking closely in next week’s regular season dress rehearsal.

Coates earned offseason plaudits for his conditioning and playmaking ability, and neither has failed him thus far in camp. “I worked my butt off to get where I am today,” he said. “I worked every day. When we got a little break before camp I worked out three times a day. I have to be available and stay on the field if I want to help the team win.” Martavis Bryant’s suspension opened up a huge opportunity for the sophomore, and it looks like he is doing everything he can to kick down the door. Coates is pushing Markus Wheaton for the No. 2 job.

Coates couldn’t get on the field as a third-round rookie, but has drawn consistent raves since the end of the season. At least right now, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes he’s penciled in as a starter alongside Antonio Brown. Lighting up pad-less practices is one thing, but Coates will have to prove he’s not a Cordarrelle Patterson-type in the preseason. Coates comes with a ton of upside for an offense that will throw as much as any in football.

In this scenario, Markus Wheaton would serve as the slot receiver, which is basically a starting position for Pittsburgh. By all accounts, Coates has had an outstanding offseason, and he is the most like-for-like replacement for Martavis Bryant (suspended) on the roster. Wheaton will still play a ton even if he works mostly from the slot, but Coates could end up being the better fantasy play. He is a great flier in the 13th round.