Browns trade for Sammie Coates

With the cut deadline looming (25 minutes as I begin this),the Cleveland Browns worked a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers before their game next Sunday as the Browns obtained wide receiver Sammie Coates from Pittsburgh in exchange for a 2017 sixth round draft pick.
Cleveland also added the Steelers 2019 seventh round pick in the deal as well as the Browns are already are accumulating 2019 draft choices.
The sixth rounder in the 2018 draft actually returns the Steelers sixth rounder to them as Pittsburgh had traded that choice to the Browns last season for since waived and former Browns first round cornerback Justin Gilbert.

As for Sammie Coates,he was the Steelers third rounder out of Auburn in 2015 and was erratic to say the least.
Coates caught just one pass as a rookie,but was being counted on to help replace the suspended Martavis Bryant last season.
Coates got off to a good start as the Steelers deep threat in 2016 notching catches of 41,42,47,53 and 72 yards with two of those going for scores.
Coates had a huge game against the New York Jets with six catches for 139 yards and two scores,but in that game,injured his finger that caused him to miss time and upon his return would catch just two passes for 14 yards,which resulted in other players passing him on the depth chart.
Coates also had knee and groin surgery in the off season,so perhaps those injuries contributed to the lack of production in the second half of the season.
Minor knee surgery kept Coates from being ready for the start of camp and any time that a team with depth has a chance to look at one player and not another,the person that misses time is at a major disadvantage.

Coates was applauded by Steeler fans for his deep speed and ability to get downfield,but he did have issues with drops and the Steelers had enough receivers that they could have possibly released Coates despite his still high upside,so Pittsburgh did well in getting something for a player that they may have released anyway.

For the Browns,it makes sense.
You aren't losing your six,which will be very high in the round,you are returning Pittsburgh's six,which will likely be closer to a seven,when you think the Steelers should be the favorites to win the division and contend in the AFC.
The deep speed of Coates alone should instantly make him the third wideout and one that makes an interesting pairing with speedy Corey Coleman,although both burners have had issues staying on the field.
Kenny Britt,who I think the Browns overpaid in free agency,will be the starter on the other side of Coleman.

In the end,it was a low cost for a young player with talent,but needs work in consistency.
Coates has shown flashes of big play ability and now will have the chance to be on the field more often than in Pittsburgh.
Lets see if Coates can make the best of it.

I still will be doing a Browns cutdown day post later and I'm sure the final roster is still far from set!