A hot topic during the offseason will be whether or not the Baltimore Ravens should re-sign wide receiver Torrey Smith.
Soon to be an unrestricted free agent, Smith once seemed like a no-brainer to keep in Baltimore well beyond his rookie contract. But a 2014 contract year in which Smith showed little signs of improvement and a questionable effort on Baltimore’s final offensive play of the season have cast doubts on his long-term value to the organization.
Having recently turned 26, Smith should be in the prime of his athletic career. However, his growth as a player over the last four years has not been what we as fans had hoped for. At this point, it is reasonable to think the receiver Smith is now in the peak of his football career – a speedster with inconsistent hands, balance, and physicality – is the one he will remain going forward.
NFL teams overpay for wide receivers every offseason – just look at Mike Wallace in Miami as the most recent example – and it is logical to think that if Smith hits the open market, he will not return to Baltimore. Re-signing him before free agency begins is another story, however, as it appears that Smith favors staying with the Ravens.
So let’s say Smith does not re-sign with the team before free agency and eventually ends up elsewhere. Then what?
With a wide receiver corps already in need of some improvements as is, losing Smith would only add to the need to upgrade the position.
If Smith departs, could the Ravens look to the draft to replace him with a similar player?
No wide receiver in this year’s draft class stands out as a viable Smith replacement – if the Ravens would want a similar player – more than Auburn’s Sammie Coates.
The 21-year-old with three years of college experience (he missed the 2011 season due to injury) was on display  during last week’s Senior Bowl, and he enters the draft process as one of the most elite athletes in the class.
At 6’2, 213 pounds, Coates has a bigger, more defined and built frame than Smith has, either now or when he entered the NFL. Where the comparisons to Smith begin, though, is in speed and refinement, or lack thereof.
In Auburn’s run-heavy offense, Coates’ receiving opportunities were limited, but when his number was called, he was the epitome of a big play threat, finishing fourth in the FBS in 2014 with 21.8 yards per reception on 34 catches.
Coates’ production in college was not massive, but when the ball touched his hands, his impact was felt:
- 2012: 6 receptions, 114 yards, 19.0 YPC, 2 TD
- 2013: 42 receptions, 902 yards, 21.5 YPC, 7 TD
- 2014: 34 receptions, 741 yards, 21.8 YPC, 4 TD
Like Smith, Coates is a straight-line athlete with big play ability, both as a deep threat and with the ball in his hands after the catch.
Where Coates has more intrigue, though, is in his physicality, ball skills and aggressive play. Smith’s physicality and willingness to fight with a defender for a ball has often come into question; that concern should not be as prevalent for Coates in the NFL.
At Auburn, Coates displayed some physical tendencies after the catch.
While almost exclusively utilized either via screens or deep routes, Coates often excelled in what he was asked to do. His inconsistent hands mirror Smith’s to an extent – and right now that may be the biggest issue he must overcome in the NFL; however, there are still positives to take away from Coates’ game.
In terms of viability as a deep threat, Coates’ unmatched speed gives him an initial advantage which creates intrigue in itself. But he is more than just a fast player; he can play the big game downfield by adjusting to underthrown balls, making contested catches and boxing out defenders. These three aspects make him more than just a speed type.
For example, when matched up one-on-one downfield with a defender, he can outmatch the opposition by using his size to box out the defense.
Using speed to get downfield is half the battle. Here, Coates gets far enough downfield for a deep reception opportunity in which he and the defender each locate the ball at the same time.
Coates begins to position his body in front of the defender, keeping his left arm on the player to maintain positioning.
He creates enough of a wall to fend off the LSU player’s attempt to defend the pass, hauling in the reception and displaying the strength to maintain possession throughout the play.
Showing the ability to make a contested catch downfield helps Coates shed the finesse label that many speed players are stuck with.
Another talent he displayed at Auburn was quality ball skills and concentration on deep throws.
Here, Coates has a cornerback matching him step-for-step with a safety closing in from the middle of the field. All three players locate the ball in the air.
Coates uses his size to maintain the inside positioning on the cornerback.
As the ball approaches, Coates’ immense leaping ability and length outweigh that of the defender, and he grabs hold of the ball with the cornerback draped on him.
Coates maintains possession of the ball, regains his balance and avoids the tackling attempts of the two LSU defenders en route to the end zone.
This is what differentiates Coates from other deep threats such as, say, Smith or even Jacoby Jones (if we are just comparing him to players most Ravens fans are familiar with).
Showing tremendous deep speed and separation is great, but what about the ability to win even without separation? Coates can do that, which makes his NFL prospects intriguing.
He readjusts to underthrown balls well, and adding that aspect to the freakish measurables makes him a viable project.
Coates’ limited route tree at Auburn, iffy hands and sparse receiving opportunities make it logical to have fears about taking him as a project in this year’s draft.
However, if the Ravens want a player similar to Smith in this class, Coates would be the guy. As a prospect, Coates offers more qualities than Smith, and it is a good bet that Coates will be a more well-rounded receiver than Smith after four years of NFL experience.
Coates figures to be a top-50 pick in this year’s draft, and some team will be intrigued by his immense athleticism and raw ability as a receiver.
Even if the Ravens retain Smith, it would still behoove the team to look into Coates heavily prior to the draft. If Smith does not return and the Ravens want a similar player with the potential to be better than Smith in the NFL, Coates would be a no-brainer.
Screencaps c/o DraftBreakdown.com.
