Week 5 NFL Advanced Analytics Superstars

Wide Receiver: Sammie Coates

Sammie Coates, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
6 Receptions, 139 Yards, 11 Targets, 2 Touchdowns
Performance: 99, NEP: +16.22

After making big plays in each game this season, Coates was finally able to capitalize (for the most part) and turn in a monster performance in Week 5. Coates caught 6 of 11 targets for 139 receiving yards while scoring 2 touchdowns.

Making a name for himself as a deep-ball specialist, Coates currently leads the league in 40-plus yard pass plays with six. He may have struggled with drops this past week, but he was still able to connect with Ben Roethlisberger several times, including the game's biggest play of the afternoon. Roethlisberger was able to hit Coates in stride for a 72-yard touchdown, where Coates simply ran right past cornerback Marcus Williams on a nine-route.

After averaging five targets in the first three weeks, Coates has seen 8 and 11 targets the last two games, and we may start seeing him emerge as an every-week fantasy option. He currently ranks seventh among all wide receivers in Target NEP which is surprising given his 19.2 aDOT (average depth of target, per Pro Football Focus), which ranks fifth-highest among receivers.

Coates finished as the overall WR2 this week in PPR scoring, just behind T.Y. Hilton. While there is some inconsistency to Coates' game, these are the big weeks we should be chasing from Coates for DFS tournament purposes. Hopefully this increase in volume will stick around for Coates as we continue to see a young player emerge and develop on one of the best offenses in the NFL.

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