Quinton Coples

Quinton Kyle Coples (born June 22, 1990) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft. He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Coples spent parts of his first five seasons in the NFL with the Jets, becoming a starter during his second season with the team in 2013. After being released by the Jets partway during the 2015 season, he was acquired by the Miami Dolphins where he spent the rest of the season as a backup. After being released by the Dolphins during the 2016 offseason, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams, but was released before the season began.

Early life
Coples attended Kinston High School, and later transferred to Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia. He was rated a four-star recruit by Rivals.com.

College career
As a junior in 2010 Coples was named a first team All-ACC selection after recording 59 tackles and 10 sacks. Coples finished college with 144 tackles, 24 sacks and 5 Forced fumbles.

Pre-draft
Coples was considered one of the best defensive end prospects for the 2012 NFL draft.

New York Jets
Coples was selected 16th overall in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He signed a four-year contract worth $8.8 million on May 17, 2012. During his rookie season of 2012, Coples compiled with 30 tackles and 5.5 sacks. The Jets finished 6–10 (tied 3rd in AFC East) that season.

With the acquisition of Sheldon Richardson in the 2013 NFL draft, the Jets announced that Coples would transition to outside linebacker. During a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 17, 2013, Coples suffered a hairline ankle fracture after defending a pass thrown by Chad Henne. The Jets projected that Coples was going to be out indefinitely due to the injury but he eventually returned during Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills on September 22, 2013. During the 2013 season, Coples performed well adjusting to outside linebacker playing 14 games (13 started) with 38 tackles, a forced fumble, 3 passes defended, and 4.5 sacks. The Jets finished 8–8 (tied 2nd in AFC East) that season.

In 2014, Coples played all 16 games with 15 starts mostly at the outside linebacker position and made 35 tackles with 6.5 sacks along with a forced fumble. The Jets plummeted to a 4-12 record, their worst record since 2007.

The Jets picked up the fifth-year, $7.8 million option of Coples' contract on April 23, 2015. Coples began to see limited playing time in 2015 due to lackluster performance, as he only made 8 tackles along with a fumble recovery in 10 games. The Jets waived Coples on November 23, 2015.

Miami Dolphins
On November 24, 2015, Coples was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins. He was released by the Dolphins on February 12, 2016.

Los Angeles Rams
On March 16, 2016, Coples signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams. He was released by the Rams on August 29, 2016.