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WR Jalen Coker, CAR (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Faust
- Start date
Max Power
Footballguy
I thought Coker looked pretty good out there last weekend. I'd only caution that the Bears were playing a "soft" defense most of the second half. He caught that nice pass right before halftime and did most of the rest of his work while Bryce Young was in against the second string D.
King of the Jungle
Footballguy
Shakir clone imo
Football Jones
Footballguy
6'1" 208 at the Combine.
Elite explosion...42.5" vert (1st), 10'8" broad (9th), and a 1.52 10-yard split (4th). Excellent hands and a superb route-runner. The only mediocre aspect of Coker's game is his long speed (4.57 40). He might be their best WR prospect.
No idea why Coker didn't get drafted other than the obvious lack of competition at Holy Cross.
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Football Jones
Footballguy
Deep sleeper of the year.
Again, I have no clue why Coker wasn't drafted other than the obvious (lack of competition). It makes me think there were character concerns, but he seem like a great kid and I've found nothing to validate anything negative.
Again, I have no clue why Coker wasn't drafted other than the obvious (lack of competition). It makes me think there were character concerns, but he seem like a great kid and I've found nothing to validate anything negative.
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Jacob's Ladder
Footballguy
He's a guy that could excel in the NFL with real QB. His play has most certainly translated from HC to the NFL. Great route runner, understands zone coverage, elite explosiveness, catches everything with his hands, and has a fire inside of him to win every ball thrown his way. Unfortunately he plays for the Panthers, so he's almost unstartable this season but he's a guy that should be on every dynasty roster and also a guy you draft everywhere next season if the Panthers QB situation changes for the better. Panthers have some great pieces in place to make a leap, they really do. They need to have a fire sale to amass draft picks and Tepper needs to understand he's part of the problem. Sell the team like a stock trade and take your win, you don't know **** about football. I hate when guys like Coker end up on teams like this. Alright, now I'll get off my soapbox.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
second best Holy Cross player in the NFL rn
Jacob's Ladder
Footballguy
I suppose you're referring to Raymond? Production wise (college or pros to this point), you're on point, but after seeing what Coker's been able to do through his first 8 weeks I'm thoroughly impressed and would take him 100 times out of 100 over Kalif if I were building an NFL franchise.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
I would hope so
Kalif is in 9th year
just wanted to post it because he's such a good dude and had the best day of his career today
was one of the first guys Brad Holmes signed, and the first extension in the Campbell/Holmes era
204 all purpose yards, 2 TDs, and had the highest PR average (min. 5 returns) since the AFL-NFL merger
against his old team....and Campbell named him a Captain for the game & he got a game ball after
Jacob's Ladder
Footballguy
I mean now, if you could put them in a time machine and they were both rookies, knowing what Kalif has done, it doesn't matter. I see Coker as potentially a higher ceiling pro after watching him for 8 weeks. That's all I'm saying. Kalif has had a good career. Coker could have a great one. Nothing against Kalif though, I like him. He's been a great veteran to have around in Detroit and deserved to be a captain.
King of the Jungle
Footballguy
Gives me some Shakir/ARSB vibes, may be nearing the end of being able to add him.
Jacob's Ladder
Footballguy
He's much more ferocious at the catch point than ARSB and especially Shakir. Both of the guys you mentioned are also much better after the catch than I ever think Coker will be. To me, Coker looks much more like a slower version of Justin Jefferson. The route running, football IQ, field awareness, catch radius, explosiveness, and strength at catch point are something to behold. This guy was a steal in this year's draft class. Steve Smith was spot on about him. I don't remember many others pre-draft thinking his route running would translate to the NFL. It has, as have so many other aspects of his game. He has a bright future if Carolina finds a quarterback with the ability to read a defense and throw early.
Football Jones
Footballguy
That's pretty much how I look at Coker. The overall package is that of a high-end prospect. I actually think his YAC will be pretty good due to being able to break tackles and he's got great hands. That finger catch along the sideline this week was sweet. I'm still flabbergasted why he wasn't drafted. It makes me think there were concerns off the field (character or medical), but I can't find anything.
Drop your worst player and do some coke...
Jacob's Ladder
Footballguy
Yeah, I should make clear, I don't believe he'll be a bad YAC guy but I just don't think he'll be on the level of someone like ARSB because he lacks top end speed to have those long TDs ARSB gets across the middle at times. Coker is big, physical, and explosive. He also looks like he's very competitive. Who knows what we'll end up seeing with him, but so far I'm pretty impressed.
In regard to his draft stock, I don't think you need to look too much into it. Those in charge of making draft picks tend to be risk averse. Taking risks gets you fired. Playing it safe keeps your job longer and you still might hit on a big time winner. Coker not getting drafted boils down to only two things in my opinion. He played for Holy Cross against mostly inferior competition, and he barely broke 4.6 in his 40 every time her ran. Looking at him now though, his skills obviously translate to the NFL against high level competition and he's playing much faster in pads than he ran in the underwear Olympics. Personally, the two pre-draft concerns are irrelevant now.
King of the Jungle
Footballguy
His vertical was 42 and his short shuttle was 1.52, so I think there is a foundation to become a better YAC guy with his short-area explosiveness. I am super intrigued by this guy, but he finds himself in a sub-optimal situation.
Jacob's Ladder
Footballguy
Agree on the potential, but I view the potential through the lens of someone like Brandon Marshall getting an extra 5-10 yards here and there by fighting for yards vs someone that's going to break a long one with elusiveness. I haven't seen that from Coker at any level, but guys do evolve.
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BespokeJort
Footballguy
I am interested but also a little concerned about the pie remaining small and the capital invested in legette and mingo meaning they continue to get chances over him even if he demonstrates he’s their best wr.
rockaction
Footballguy
Coker’s forty time at the combine was better than ARSB’s. Coker ran a 4.57 while ARSB ran a 4.61 at a pro day, which makes it even worse. In addition, Coker claims he had a bum hammy. ARSB gets by on otherworldly desire and an understanding of the game that is surpassed by few.
Jacob's Ladder
Footballguy
Which is why I mentioned time in pads vs time in underwear. Coker obviously plays faster than his 40 time. But as quick as ARSB? I don't think so. ARSB ran low 4.5 at his pro day FWIW. He's also surpassed 21mph in the NFL with the ball in his hands. That's elite long speed.
ARSB flat gets open and has a QB that hits him in stride. That also helps. Coker in the right system with the right QB will thrive, but I don't foresee it looking anything like what ARSB does.
Saying ARSB gets it done by otherworldly desire and an understanding of the game is selling his athletic gifts short. He's obviously one of the most intelligent WRs in the game, and his competitive fire is off the charts, but he's an athletic freak. His whole family is. He's the total package.
Jacob's Ladder
Footballguy
He's earned the opportunity, and in those situations, talent usually wins out. He's already on the field and has usurped Mingo and Marshall, both second round picks. I like Legette as well, and I think he and Coker will compliment each other nicely. Everything is riding on getting a real QB though. It's easy to disappear in the NFL on a bad team, but situations can change quickly. Nico Collins is a perfect example of this. Wes Welker, Roddy White and Adam Thielen are a few others off the top of my head.
rockaction
Footballguy
I take what you’re saying but I live in USC country and he ran a 4.61. Hand timed. That’s not good. He may indeed have hit 21 MPH in pads which means that Detroit found a gem that slipped through the cracks more than anything.
Jacob's Ladder
Footballguy
So this is inaccurate???
rockaction
Footballguy
Yep. Everything I checked said 4.61 and Player Profiler has him at 4.66 because they add .05 to the pro day times. Note the “unofficial” in the header. Draftscout has him at 4.61, NYT has him at 4.61 via The Athletic.
Jacob's Ladder
Footballguy
Also, NFL.com projected him as a 2nd/3rd round talent. Detroit got him in the 4th, do yeah, he slipped through the cracks. Hie size, strength and physicality were as big of concerns as his long speed which is all just laughable now.
Jacob's Ladder
Footballguy
Still a 4.51. Still a 4.51 reported at nfl.com. All times outside the combine are “unofficial.” Not sure what you’re even arguing about anymore. Give it a rest.
rockaction
Footballguy
He didn’t run at the combine. You’re wrong. I’ve done this for five years. Looking up forty times. Dude ran a 4.61 on his pro day and didn’t run at the combine.
My friend, you need to not tell people you’re not sure what they’re arguing about anymore or tell them to give it a rest.
You’re incorrect. Look up a source besides that one article. Post them here if you want.
eta* I’ve actually done it for ten years now. I’m giving myself short shrift.
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rockaction
Footballguy
He wouldn’t have fallen so far in the draft if he ran a 4.51. He fell because he was outside of a 4.6. For a small guy, that’s when you start falling in the draft. That’s just inferred evidence; the real crux of the matter is all over the internet from numerous sources.
rockaction
Footballguy
Amon-Ra St. Brown | Combine Results | WR - Southern California
NFL Scouting Combine and Pro Day scores, percentiles and metrics for Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Southern California.
www.nflcombineresults.com
*Amon-Ra St. Brown - WR - Southern California - 2021 Draft Scout/NCAA College Football
*Amon-Ra St. Brown - WR - Southern California - 2021 Draft Scout/NCAA College Football
draftscout.com
Need more?
rockaction
Footballguy
We should really delete this when you come back and realize you’re incorrect. It’s detracting from a nice story about a dude coming out of Holy Cross undrafted and potentially making noise in the NFL. I love stories like this. Who cares about ARSB’s forty in the end?
Jacob's Ladder
Footballguy
What am I wrong about? He ran unofficial 4.51 at his pro-day. That's a fact. Just because someone wants to add time to that number doesn't make it any more or less accurate. He fell for more than just his speed. Stop being an ***.
rockaction
Footballguy
Dude, don’t shift goalposts. We’re arguing about what his forty time was. Not what his unofficial forty time was according to a source you saw. Only one website I cited added time. That’s Player Profiler’s schtick. I’m going to tell you something now. You look really bad. You’ve said you don’t know what I’m arguing about, you’ve insulted me, you’ve shifted the goalposts, and you’ve called me an ***.
If this is how you operate I want no part of it. Perhaps you’re having a bad day.
Perhaps we should focus on something different now.
In the immortal words of Walter from The Big Lebowski -
4.61!
Jacob's Ladder
Footballguy
Dude...you came in here to poopoo on me saying Coker might not have the breakaway speed of ARSB by posting "evidence" that he ran an unofficial 4.6 whatever. The fact is, he ran an unofficial 4.51, but the more important piece of information is ARSB has at a confirmed and recorded in game speed of over 21mph on the field in pads. That's blazing speed I'm not sure Coker possesses. That was my point from the beginning and you turned it into a pissing contest about how pro-day 40 times are adjusted. Again, stop being a ****, give it a rest man. You've taken this train way off the tracks. Congratulations. Since you're that type of guy, you can have the last word. I'll just put you on ignore. I'm tired of this TBH.
rockaction
Footballguy
That’s not what I did at all. I’m stopping this garbage.
And it is garbage.
I was giving you a fact. I wasn’t disputing anything else. Dude, I did not make it a contest about how they’re adjusted. You’re ****ing nuts.
rockaction
Footballguy
What is wrong with you?
Guy ran a 4.61. You’re still insisting he didn’t. This is crazy. I’m in bizarro land. Are you trolling or serious?
Guy ran a 4.61. You’re still insisting he didn’t. This is crazy. I’m in bizarro land. Are you trolling or serious?
rockaction
Footballguy
A) No
B) No
C) No
Never said that. Never implied it. Did not come in here to do that. I came in to add to the conversation and read about Jalen Coker and you’re waxing rhapsodic about ARSB. I just wanted to let you know that when you said he lacks top end speed when compared to ARSB that by one measure ARSB is slower. I wouldn’t debate that Coker is slower. He looks slower to me. What I was saying is that by a pretty good measure of long speed, Coker beat ARSB, so you might want to be less sure.
But you’ve gone haywire.
I got 4.5 on the dot on my Fitbit while watching this.
The Gator
Footballguy
Jacob's Ladder
Footballguy
Don’t forget to add .11 because it wasn’t an Apple watch.
Football Jones
Footballguy
I just made a post, but got ALL confused about who was talking about what, LOL.
Nevermind (if you read it).
Nevermind (if you read it).
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King of the Jungle
Footballguy
Back to Jalen Coker, second in Panther WR snaps in week 8 while leading the team in receiving yards (and caught a TD). Diontae and Thielen may slow this train down a bit if both come back, but Coker has taken advantage of his opportunities when the ball comes his way and may be tough to pull off the field.
Pietaster2
Footballguy
Carolina has a very soft playoff schedule for WRs. Diontae’s gone. Who knows how hurt Thelien is.
Coker has my attention.
Coker has my attention.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
He's always open
Thus far he's been more of a zone beater, only 1 catch vs man (tbf he's only run 14 routes v man)
Like him a lot coming out of Holy Cross, 8.54 RAS despite only running a 4.57 40
42.5" vertical
Turns 23 tomorrow
The Beast ranked him the 33rd WR in the class, sandwiched between Bub Means (NO) and Isaiah Williams (DET)
33. JALEN COKER | Holy Cross 6013 | 208 lbs. | 4JR Sterling, Va. (Potomac Falls) 10/30/2001 (age 22.99) #80
BACKGROUND:
Jalen Coker, who has a younger sister (Jemma) and younger brother (Jaxon), grew up just outside of Washington D.C. He started playing flag football at age 4 before graduating to Pop Warner football and then travel leagues. Coker also played basketball and several other sports throughout childhood, but football quickly became his passion, and he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father (Jamal) by playing wide receiver. He attended Potomac Falls High School, where he rarely came off the field, playing wide receiver, free safety and returner. Coker helped Potomac Falls make the state playoffs all four seasons and was named an All State receiver and defensive back as a senior captain in 2019. He finished his prep career with 89 receptions for 1,622 yards and 18 touchdowns, along with 169 tackles and 12 interceptions on defense. Coker was a standout on the basketball court at Potomac Falls and averaged 16.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game as a senior, earning honorable mention All-Metro honors. He also ran track as a freshman.
A no-star recruit, Coker wasn’t ranked by online recruiting services and went widely overlooked in the 2020 recruiting class. He received his first scholarship offer as a junior in February 2019 from FCS Youngstown State. Coker had several other FCS offers (Duquesne, New Hampshire and Howard), but it was his connection with the Holy Cross coaches that led him to that program. He was considered the top-ranked receiver in Holy Cross’ 2020 recruiting class. After a record-breaking four years, Coker elected to skip his remaining eligibility and enter the 2024 NFL Draft. He accepted his invitation to the 2024 Hula Bowl and was called up to participate in the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl.
YEAR (GP/GS) REC YDS AVG TD DROP NOTES
2020: (3/2) 4 72 18.0 1 0 Redshirted; Pandemic-shortened season, played in the spring of 2021
2021: (13/13) 51 691 13.6 4 5 Second Team All-Patriot; Led team in receiving
2022: (12/12) 50 912 18.2 11 6 First Team All-Patriot; Led team in receiving; 36-yard TD pass
2023: (11/11) 59 1,040 17.6 15 2 First Team All-American; First Team All-Patriot; Led FCS in receiving TDs (also a single-season school-record)
Total: (39/38) 164 2,715 16.6 31 13
HT WT HAND ARM WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP
COMBINE 6013 208 9 7/8 32 7/8 76 3/4 4.57 2.67 1.60 42 1/2 10’8” - - - (no shuttle, 3-cone, bench press — choice)
PRO DAY - 210 - - - - - - - - - - 12 (no drills; bench only — left hamstring)
STRENGTHS:
Good-sized athlete with quick feet and coordinated movements mid-route … strong leaper (put some impressive dunks on his high school basketball tape) with a large catch radius, but he doesn’t jump unnecessarily for grabs … utilizes late hands to spear and maintain focus to the ground … some of his best college tape came on vertical-based patterns — he releases quickly, stacks the cornerback and tracks the ball naturally … shrewdly decelerates or taps into a second gear when the ball is in the air … flashes a sink to help him separate at the break point … runs with balance and toughness after the catch and doesn’t make it easy on tacklers to get him down … receiving production improved each season, including an FCS-best 15 touchdown catches in 2023 (LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr., was the only Division I player with more TD grabs).
WEAKNESSES:
Will have trouble at times getting off press coverage … play speed and timed speed are both underwhelming … needs to show more snap at the top of routes to separate or react to throws … uses his body well to sell route fakes, although his pacing can be better to lead coverage down the wrong path … doesn’t have the elusiveness to consistently make NFL pursuit miss after the catch … solidly built and has done a nice job developing his muscle, although NFL physicality will be a new challenge … two false starts vs. Bucknell in 2023 … returned punts in 2023 at Holy Cross, but NFL special teams will be a questionable fit for him … most of his college production came against cornerbacks with no chance at an NFL future.
SUMMARY:
A four-year starter, Coker was primarily an outside wide receiver in Holy Cross’ pro-style spread scheme, although he also saw time in the slot (18.2percent of his snaps in 2023). Overlooked as a high school recruit, he led Holy Cross in receiving each of his four seasons with the program, setting the all-time school records for receiving yards (2,715) and receiving touchdowns (31). Coker is quick and controlled as a route runner, especially for his size, with the catch radius to climb the ladder or finish through traffic (79.7 percent of his catches in 2023 resulted in a first down or touchdown). He faced four FBS opponents in his career and more than held his own, combining for 20 catches for 301 yards and three touchdowns in those games, including a game-winning catch against Buffalo in 2022.Overall, Coker has a sizeable jump in competition waiting for him in the NFL, but he is a rangy athlete with the length, body coordination and ball tracking that won’t make him feel out of place. He projects as a rotational receiver capable of making an NFL roster as a rookie.
GRADE: 6th-7th Round
Thus far he's been more of a zone beater, only 1 catch vs man (tbf he's only run 14 routes v man)
Like him a lot coming out of Holy Cross, 8.54 RAS despite only running a 4.57 40
42.5" vertical
Turns 23 tomorrow
The Beast ranked him the 33rd WR in the class, sandwiched between Bub Means (NO) and Isaiah Williams (DET)
33. JALEN COKER | Holy Cross 6013 | 208 lbs. | 4JR Sterling, Va. (Potomac Falls) 10/30/2001 (age 22.99) #80
BACKGROUND:
Jalen Coker, who has a younger sister (Jemma) and younger brother (Jaxon), grew up just outside of Washington D.C. He started playing flag football at age 4 before graduating to Pop Warner football and then travel leagues. Coker also played basketball and several other sports throughout childhood, but football quickly became his passion, and he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father (Jamal) by playing wide receiver. He attended Potomac Falls High School, where he rarely came off the field, playing wide receiver, free safety and returner. Coker helped Potomac Falls make the state playoffs all four seasons and was named an All State receiver and defensive back as a senior captain in 2019. He finished his prep career with 89 receptions for 1,622 yards and 18 touchdowns, along with 169 tackles and 12 interceptions on defense. Coker was a standout on the basketball court at Potomac Falls and averaged 16.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game as a senior, earning honorable mention All-Metro honors. He also ran track as a freshman.
A no-star recruit, Coker wasn’t ranked by online recruiting services and went widely overlooked in the 2020 recruiting class. He received his first scholarship offer as a junior in February 2019 from FCS Youngstown State. Coker had several other FCS offers (Duquesne, New Hampshire and Howard), but it was his connection with the Holy Cross coaches that led him to that program. He was considered the top-ranked receiver in Holy Cross’ 2020 recruiting class. After a record-breaking four years, Coker elected to skip his remaining eligibility and enter the 2024 NFL Draft. He accepted his invitation to the 2024 Hula Bowl and was called up to participate in the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl.
YEAR (GP/GS) REC YDS AVG TD DROP NOTES
2020: (3/2) 4 72 18.0 1 0 Redshirted; Pandemic-shortened season, played in the spring of 2021
2021: (13/13) 51 691 13.6 4 5 Second Team All-Patriot; Led team in receiving
2022: (12/12) 50 912 18.2 11 6 First Team All-Patriot; Led team in receiving; 36-yard TD pass
2023: (11/11) 59 1,040 17.6 15 2 First Team All-American; First Team All-Patriot; Led FCS in receiving TDs (also a single-season school-record)
Total: (39/38) 164 2,715 16.6 31 13
HT WT HAND ARM WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP
COMBINE 6013 208 9 7/8 32 7/8 76 3/4 4.57 2.67 1.60 42 1/2 10’8” - - - (no shuttle, 3-cone, bench press — choice)
PRO DAY - 210 - - - - - - - - - - 12 (no drills; bench only — left hamstring)
STRENGTHS:
Good-sized athlete with quick feet and coordinated movements mid-route … strong leaper (put some impressive dunks on his high school basketball tape) with a large catch radius, but he doesn’t jump unnecessarily for grabs … utilizes late hands to spear and maintain focus to the ground … some of his best college tape came on vertical-based patterns — he releases quickly, stacks the cornerback and tracks the ball naturally … shrewdly decelerates or taps into a second gear when the ball is in the air … flashes a sink to help him separate at the break point … runs with balance and toughness after the catch and doesn’t make it easy on tacklers to get him down … receiving production improved each season, including an FCS-best 15 touchdown catches in 2023 (LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr., was the only Division I player with more TD grabs).
WEAKNESSES:
Will have trouble at times getting off press coverage … play speed and timed speed are both underwhelming … needs to show more snap at the top of routes to separate or react to throws … uses his body well to sell route fakes, although his pacing can be better to lead coverage down the wrong path … doesn’t have the elusiveness to consistently make NFL pursuit miss after the catch … solidly built and has done a nice job developing his muscle, although NFL physicality will be a new challenge … two false starts vs. Bucknell in 2023 … returned punts in 2023 at Holy Cross, but NFL special teams will be a questionable fit for him … most of his college production came against cornerbacks with no chance at an NFL future.
SUMMARY:
A four-year starter, Coker was primarily an outside wide receiver in Holy Cross’ pro-style spread scheme, although he also saw time in the slot (18.2percent of his snaps in 2023). Overlooked as a high school recruit, he led Holy Cross in receiving each of his four seasons with the program, setting the all-time school records for receiving yards (2,715) and receiving touchdowns (31). Coker is quick and controlled as a route runner, especially for his size, with the catch radius to climb the ladder or finish through traffic (79.7 percent of his catches in 2023 resulted in a first down or touchdown). He faced four FBS opponents in his career and more than held his own, combining for 20 catches for 301 yards and three touchdowns in those games, including a game-winning catch against Buffalo in 2022.Overall, Coker has a sizeable jump in competition waiting for him in the NFL, but he is a rangy athlete with the length, body coordination and ball tracking that won’t make him feel out of place. He projects as a rotational receiver capable of making an NFL roster as a rookie.
GRADE: 6th-7th Round
