The Cleveland Browns’ lone undrafted rookie to make the initial 53-man roster continues to draw national recognition, as cornerback Michael Coats Jr. earned a spot on Pro Football Focus’ list of the highest-graded rookies from the entire 2026 preseason. Coats, whose unconventional path to the NFL included never playing a snap of high school football, added another accolade.
PFF’s Gordon McGuinness detailed what made Coats’ preseason performance stand out despite missing the finale with injury.
“Coats missed the Browns’ preseason finale with an ankle injury, but makes this list off the back of his performances in the first two weeks. On the field for 33 coverage snaps, he allowed just two receptions from six targets and recorded both an interception and a pass breakup,” McGuinness wrote.
Coats landed at number 15 on McGuinness’ list of the top-graded rookies from the entire preseason with an 83.7 PFF grade, but his coverage numbers tell an even more impressive story. He allowed only 2 receptions on 6 targets across 33 coverage snaps, and added both an interception and a pass breakup. That kind of playmaking performance helps explain why the coaching staff prioritized keeping him on the active roster over other undrafted hopefuls during final cuts.
With Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell holding down the top spots, how quickly Coats recovers from his ankle injury could determine whether he becomes a rotational piece early in the season or simply insurance the Browns hope they never have to use.
“#Browns CB Michael Coats Jr., standing with practice squad CB Myles Bryant, watching practice today. Coats is dealing with an ankle injury and had a wrap on today as he works his way back to practice activities,” Camryn Justice wrote.
#Browns CB Michael Coats Jr., standing with practice squad CB Myles Bryant, watching practice today.
Coats is dealing with an ankle injury and had a wrap on today as he works his way back to practice activities. pic.twitter.com/qxhcpX05TI
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) August 31, 2026
Either way, his rise from a player with no high school football experience to a nationally recognized rookie performer stands as one of the more unlikely storylines to emerge from Berea this summer.
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