Joe Haden won’t be the only AFC North player to see his old team when the Steelers and Browns convene in Cleveland come Week 1. Sammie Coates will be a part of the Browns in that contest after the Steelers traded him to Cleveland on Saturday, the team announced.
The Steelers shipped the wide receiver to the Browns in exchange for a 2018 sixth-round selection. Cleveland will also receive Pittsburgh’s 2019 seventh-round pick.
Coates was jockeying for position among a crowded Pittsburgh receiving corps, one that again has the services of Martavis Bryant. He, second-rounder JuJu Smith-Schuster and Eli Rogers comprise the Steelers’ top Antonio Brown complements.
Coates will see his tenure in western Pennsylvania conclude early after two underwhelming seasons.
The 6-foot-2 deep threat mostly observed as a rookie behind a Brown-, Bryant-, and Markus Wheaton-fronted Steelers receiving attack. But last season with Bryant suspended and Wheaton mostly sidelined, Bryant played in 14 games and started five. However, after a midseason spurt of productivity, the former Auburn talent struggled due partially to a broken finger. The 24-year-old Coates finished his Steelers run with just 22 receptions.
He figures to receive a better chance to play in Cleveland. The Browns have an opening behind Kenny Britt and Corey Coleman. Their five-wideout draft class of 2016 hasn’t produced a surefire second contributor behind Coleman, so Coates figures to compete with the Browns’ incumbents for work off the bench.
Good job Steelers
Arch enemies trading?
Second time in a year: Justin Gilbert trade last year. Makes sense for both sides here, Steelers get something for Coates, Browns add a WR with some experience and potential.
Would the browns have gotten first priority if they were planning on waving him anyway?
That’s a very good point. Only thing I can think of is that the Steelers had more than one team willing to trade for Coates, and the Browns knew it so they wanted to be sure to get him. I would guess that a few teams would have been willing to trade a late round pick for Coates.
That’s true not really a loss for either team I was just curious
Turn next to nothing into something. Good luck to Coates though, if he could put it together he’d be a very good player.
I would have kept Coates and his upside over guys like Ayers or Hamilton.
Rare good move for the Browns.
Glad to see him end up in Cleveland than with Patsies.