It isn't going to really matter all that much if Coe starts or not. Rhoads himself said that it is going to be a DL by committee again this year. We will have guys running in and out a lot. In fact, the 2's might just play as many downs as the 1's.
So who starts really isn't all that significant. Coe is going to play, and he's going to play a lot, whether he starts or not. We don't really have much choice. I hope at the very least he can just plug up the middle and allow the LBs to make plays. That would be sufficient for year one IMO.
In terms of how much an individual produces that's true, but like in years past the best four guys will start. If Coe is starting it means he's beat somebody else out and is being very productive for the first year player at the position. So if nothing else it at least means he's playing good enough to start, which is something he could be proud of and something that will surely excite Cyclone Nation.