Steelers Trade Coates, Cockrell For Draft Picks
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PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Pittsburgh Steelers have traded wide receiver Sammie Coates and cornerback Ross Cockrell in exchange for draft picks in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Coates was sent to the Cleveland Browns, where the 2015 third-round pick will get a chance to revive his career.
The Steelers also sent a seventh-round pick in the 2019 draft to Cleveland in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2018.
Coates caught 22 passes for 446 yards and two touchdowns across two seasons in Pittsburgh. He appeared headed for a breakout year in 2016, making at least one reception of 40 yards or more in each of Pittsburgh's first five games before injuring two fingers following a 139-yard performance against the New York Jets.
Coates was never the same the rest of the season and missed half of training camp while recovering from minor surgery on his left knee.
The Steelers could afford to part with Coates following Martavis Bryant's return from a year-long drug suspension.
Cockrell was traded to the New York Giants in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Cockrell signed with the Steelers in September 2015 after being released by the Buffalo Bills.
He started all 16 games in 2016 and finished the season with 62 tackles, 14 pass defenses and a fumble recovery.
The Steelers have released the following players to trim the roster to 53 players:
- wide receiver Demarcus Ayers
- center Ruben Carter
- offensive lineman Ethan Cooper
- running back Knile Davis
- cornerback Brandon Dixon
- center Kyle Friend
- linebacker Matt Galambos
- linebacker Austin Gearing
- safety Malik Golden (waived/injured)
- cornerback Senquez Golson
- safety Jacob Hagen
- wide receiver Cobi Hamilton
- long snapper Colin Holba
- defensive end Lavon Hooks
- quarterback Bart Houston
- linebacker Farrington Huguenin
- tight end David Johnson
- linebacker Steven Johnson
- defensive end Francis Kallon
- linebacker Keith Kelsey
- defensive end Johnny Maxey
- tight end Jake McGee
- offensive tackle Brian Mihalik
- offensive lineman Keavon Milton
- cornerback Dashaun Phillips
- defensive tackle Roy Philon
- offensive tackle Jake Rodgers
- cornerback JaCorey Shepherd
- wide receiver Justin Thomas
- running back Fitzgerald Touissant
- wide receiver Marcus Tucker
- safety Terrish Webb
- running back Trey Williams
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
