Bringing experience:Steelers third-round draft pick Sammie Coates is already drawing comparisons to receiver Martavis Bryant as both are deep threats, but Coates comes to the team with more experience having started three years at Auburn.
"I think that he's probably played a little bit more than Martavis had because he's been at Auburn for his whole career, whereas Martavis came in from that prep school and only played one year," said Mann. "This guy has got a little more playing experience under his belt as far as having playing experience in college than Martavis had."
Key spot for WR: Coates finished his Auburn career 10th overall in school history in receiving with 1,757 yards, adding seven career 100-yard games and 13 touchdowns. He joins a handful of receiver the team has drafted in the third round over the years, including Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders and Markus Wheaton, and like all of them has a lot of potential.
"I think the sky is the limit for him," said Mann. "He'll run with the ball. Also we think the 'Z' receiver has to be a guy who will catch and run with it. He will put his pads down and run with good pad level. A lot of guys won't do that. We've seen him do it, so we know he has it in him."
Needs work, but plenty of athleticism: Coates, 6-1, 212 pounds has good size and experience, but there are still some areas the team would like to work with him on.
"I think we got a guy that needs some work, but is a great athlete," said Mann. "He has good speed and can take the top off of the coverage. He's a guy who can track the ball down field very well.
"He has some problems straight ahead catching a football but that's why we drill. With a chance to coach him up, we feel like we can make that better. You can't coach up is his athleticism."
