Jacksonville Jaguars Draft Countdown: Making the Case for Sammie Coates

For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the most important moment of the rest of the offseason is their first draft pick (No. 3 overall). However, they may be able to make just as big of a move by finding a first-round talent with their second-round pick in Auburn wideout Sammie Coates.

Coates has not received the hype and detailed speculation of various receivers like Amari Cooper, Kevin White or DeVante Parker, but he is not a second-rate receiver. Coates is strong and fast, and he has a good understanding of how to use his body and dominate defenders.

Coates is projected as a first- or second-round selection by CBS Sports, and he could definitely slip down to the Jaguars' 36th overall pick, assuming that there isn't a complete fire sale of wide receivers in the first round.

However, just because Coates is most likely going in the second round doesn't make him a worse option. The depth at WR in this year's draft is absolutely incredible, and the Jaguars have to take advantage of that.

One of the main reasons that Coates doesn't get the spotlight of some of his peers is due to his stats in college. Coates has spent four years at Auburn but really has only spent two as a starter.

Through those two seasons, Coates gained 1,643 yards and scored 11 touchdowns on 76 receptions—not terrible numbers, but definitely not the numbers of a top-talent receiver.

Before dismissing his ability based on those numbers, however, it's important to realize that the Auburn offense was centered around quick, disorientating running plays. Coates wasn't the focal point of that offense in any way and had to deal with seeing the ball less than his draft competition.

However, if anyone watched Coates play last season or in 2013, it's not hard to realize how talented the 22-year-old is. Watch the highlight video below for a good idea of how dominant Coates can be when he gets the ball.

Coates is nearly perfect in size, coming in at 6'1", 212 pounds. He isn't the fastest or strongest, but he offers a really nice mix of both. Coates appears taller than he looks on TV, and I think that's due to his strength and good center of balance.

He's very good at using his thick frame to muscle off corners and find open space, similar to free-agent signing Julius Thomas, albeit Thomas is a tight end. Coates would offer a faster, decently strong option at receiver for quarterback Blake Bortles.

I like Coates as a potential option at receiver because he's not like anything that the Jaguars currently have. I think he has the ability to be the Jaguars' top receiver, and his combination of speed and strength is unique from anyone currently in the wide receiver group.

Nabbing Coates in the second round is a very realistic option for the Jaguars. It would allow them to select a LEO pass-rusher with their first-round pick and also get another strong weapon for Bortles, and Coates and the Jaguars are familiar with each other.

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Coates played in the 2015 Senior Bowl for head coach Gus Bradley and the South team, and there may not be anyone in the NFL who has had as good of a look at Coates as Bradley and the rest of his staff. 

If the Jaguars like what they see, they can sit quietly and wait for Coates to drop to the second round, and then they can reap the benefits. 

Coates may not be the top receiver in this year's draft, but it's incredible that he's most likely going to be available in the second round. Coates has the athleticism and ability of a top receiver, and the Jaguars have to consider him if he's there at the 36th pick.

Where do you think the Jaguars should take a receiver? Answer in the poll and say who you want them to draft in comments below!

All stats were provided by ESPN.com, unless otherwise stated.

Evan Reier is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report covering the Jacksonville Jaguars. Follow Evan on Twitter at @evanreier.