WR Jalen Coker, CAR (3 Viewers)

[Jacob's Ladder]

I heard Tet McM the rookie WR is having issues getting off the LOS

Link?

Tet is a big strong human with excellent footwork, getting off the line seems to be the least of his concerns. He's special. Separation (the real knock on him from the get-go) is overrated when you're as long and strong at the catchpoint as he is.

Probably Reddit in some jibberish
I like Coker and think he can do well but I feel like folks are overlooking Adam Thielen who had great chemistry and terrific stats 2nd Half of the season last year coming back from injury
I still see Thielen as the WR1 for now but understand that Tet is their future
Thielen is going to be a relaible target and set of hands on 3rd down for Bryce

Thielen has had a hell of a career but he's 34 and the Panthers didn't spend a top 10 pick on McMillan for nothing. Coker came out of nowhere last year and it's not inconceivable that he would have taken over as the #1 on the team had he been able to stay healthy. His catch rate and yards per reception were better than Thielen's. Coker's yards per reception were actually better than anything Thielen has put up as a pro since becoming a starter. There are a lot of signs that point towards Coker being better than he's given credit for and becoming a real contributor in this league, maybe even a star.

Legit question, does Coker line up in the slot? I believe Thielen is their slot wide receiver, I could be wrong of course
Coker would push for time behind XL and Tet on the outside, not sure he is the guy to supplant Thielen in the slot
Thielen and Coker were both out there and getting targets towards the end of the season. Was Thielen lined up slot and Coker outside? I don't have that answer handy
I'm keeping an open mind for the first couple weeks of the season

Coker can play any position

Some WRs do not do so well in the slot, look at Diggs last year in Houston before the injury, he wasn't doing that great
Was his 1st season where he was labeled or lined up as the slot WR
I don't think it's as easy as we might think. And when you type in best slot WRs in the NFL, you can see who pops up near the top

I just haven't gotten there on Thielen being pushed out of the slot position, you on the other hand feel much differently and I accept that. I think Coker will make it difficult on any of the perceived starting WRs if they slip up much. He might be out there as one of the starting 3 WRs, we'll see when they open the season, maybe sooner

Coker played in the slot close to 55% of his snaps in 2024. He's a very smart WR that can play anywhere and he wins against man and zone. He's also a beast at the catch point and plays with the confidence of a superstar. Coming from a small school, Coker's draft stock took a major hit after he ran a 4.57 40, but that can be ignored to a degree because he also has a 42.5" vertical. In other words, Coker is explosive regardless of his top end speed in the underwear Olympics.

You're just barking up the wrong tree if you think he can't take over for Thielen. I've been a huge Thielen fan for a long time, but Adam is 34 and has certainly lost a step at this point in his career. Coker could easily take over for him as soon as this year. It's just hard to keep a guy like Coker off the field. He proved as much last year. As an UDFA he had no problem commanding targets over high draft picks like Leguette or Mingo and high priority free agents like Diontae Johnson.

One last point on Coker, Steve Smith absolutely loved him pre-draft. That's before Carolina brought him aboard. It's invaluable to have that dude on your side as a Panther.

Onto your other point, labels aside, Diggs moved around the formation his entire career which was part of his attractiveness as a #1. The amount of plays he ran out of the slot did increase in Houston, you're right there, but it's not like he hasn't been productive there in the past. I would say his lack of production probably had a lot more to do with the competition of targets than anything else. Nico is an absolute alpha of a WR1 that commands looks on almost every play. FWIW, Diggs was performing pretty well in Houston before his injury. He had almost 500 yards of receiving in about 7 1/2 games. The biggest problem there was probably offensive line play and Stroud's regression as a passer.

 

[Faust]

Ari Meirov
The #Panthers weren’t just going to give Adam Thielen away. They were going to do right by him and trade him to the #Vikings only IF a deal made sense.

A big reason they were comfortable making the move: they love WR Jalen Coker. Remember the name.

https://x.com/mysportsupdate/status/1960702367860437048?s=61

 

[Jacob's Ladder]

Guess Theilen wasn't a problem after all, heh? Coker has an easy path to the team's #2 option at this point, could even become more than that, 1A to a 1B or 1B to a 1A due to his versatility. Don't get me wrong, McMillan will get every option to be the team's alpha because of his draft stock, but don't sleep on Coker. He bullied his way onto the field, now he just needs to stay on it.

 

[Doubles]

Guess Theilen wasn't a problem after all, heh? Coker has an easy path to the team's #2 option at this point, could even become more than that, 1A to a 1B or 1B to a 1A due to his versatility. Don't get me wrong, McMillan will get every option to be the team's alpha because of his draft stock, but don't sleep on Coker. He bullied his way onto the field, now he just needs to stay on it.

I’d have to drop Burden in one league or Woody Marks (or Caleb backing up Nix) in another for Coker. I’m guessing I should?

 

[Faust]

January 6

Matt Harmon
Jalen Coker is second among rookie WRs in yards per route run vs. man coverage.

(minimum 200 total routes on the season)

x.com

x.com

 

[jm192]

Logic says this is better for Legette. Panthers Twitter says it's better for Coker.

 

[Jacob's Ladder]

Logic says this is better for Legette. Panthers Twitter says it's better for Coker.

Did logic watch any Panthers games?

 

[jm192]

Logic says this is better for Legette. Panthers Twitter says it's better for Coker.

Did logic watch any Panthers games?

Haha. I'm definitely on the side of Panthers Twitter.

It stands to reason they're going to give the former 1st round pick every chance. But Panthers fans, beat writers, etc. are all gushing over Coker. When the offense struggled in the pre-season game without Coker, everyone was quick to point out how they missed him.

I've been targeting him late for a while and may need to get a smidge more aggressive. He's feeling more and more like he's going to be a real factor.

 

[Jacob's Ladder]

Logic says this is better for Legette. Panthers Twitter says it's better for Coker.

Did logic watch any Panthers games?

Haha. I'm definitely on the side of Panthers Twitter.

It stands to reason they're going to give the former 1st round pick every chance. But Panthers fans, beat writers, etc. are all gushing over Coker. When the offense struggled in the pre-season game without Coker, everyone was quick to point out how they missed him.

I've been targeting him late for a while and may need to get a smidge more aggressive. He's feeling more and more like he's going to be a real factor.

UDFA Coker usurped 1st round pick Legette in year 1, so I think you can pretty much throw the draft capital argument out the window. Coker was far and away the best young talent on the team last year and had he not been injured, it's likely he'd have been the #1 option by the end of the year. His YPC while playing more than half his snaps from the slot was pretty wild. Coker is a jack of all trades and pretty damn good at many of them. It's even possible they don't draft McMillan had things played differently. Coker's skillset is much more versatile than McMillan. but I do believe they completement each other nicely. I am a lot higher on McMillan than many of his detractors, and I believe the Panthers are in a good spot at WR for the first time in a long time.

 

[Doubles]

JJ Zacharison has a bold take that Coker finishes with at least 60 receptions this season:

[td]Why This Is Bold: Coker is a very late-round pick, and fewer than 40 wideouts got to 60 catches last year. Why This Will Happen: Adam Thielen was moved to Minnesota on Wednesday, and the biggest winner of that move is probably Jalen Coker. To me, the most impressive rookie wideout in Carolina last year wasn't Xavier Legette. It was Coker. While Legette finished his season with a yards-per-route-run rate of just 1.19, Coker's sat at an impressive 1.72. Legette played more of a perimeter role, while Coker handled 61% of his routes, per PFF, from the slot. And Coker's slot yards-per-route-run rate was a very strong 1.85. Without Thielen, Coker is likely to assume the slot role in Carolina's offense, with Tetairoa McMillan and Legette playing on the outside. That could lead to more advantageous matchups and, in turn, easier targets. The Late-Round Prospect Guide features Year 2 profiles -- you can get the guide for just $9.99 right now -- that include "Journey Comparables", or players who went on a similar Year 1 to Year 2 "journey" as the one being analyzed. Coker's top-two Journey Comparables? Jakobi Meyers and Allen Hurns. Meyers went from 26 catches as a rookie to 59 (in 14 games) as a second-year player. Hurns saw 51 grabs during his rookie year and followed it up with 64 the next season. Coker getting to 60 doesn't seem crazy at all, especially if he just ends up being a better player than Legette. And I think he is.

[/td]

 

[King of the Jungle]

JJ Zacharison has a bold take that Coker finishes with at least 60 receptions this season:

​ [td]Why This Is Bold: Coker is a very late-round pick, and fewer than 40 wideouts got to 60 catches last year. Why This Will Happen: Adam Thielen was moved to Minnesota on Wednesday, and the biggest winner of that move is probably Jalen Coker. To me, the most impressive rookie wideout in Carolina last year wasn't Xavier Legette. It was Coker. While Legette finished his season with a yards-per-route-run rate of just 1.19, Coker's sat at an impressive 1.72. Legette played more of a perimeter role, while Coker handled 61% of his routes, per PFF, from the slot. And Coker's slot yards-per-route-run rate was a very strong 1.85. Without Thielen, Coker is likely to assume the slot role in Carolina's offense, with Tetairoa McMillan and Legette playing on the outside. That could lead to more advantageous matchups and, in turn, easier targets. The Late-Round Prospect Guide features Year 2 profiles -- you can get the guide for just $9.99 right now -- that include "Journey Comparables", or players who went on a similar Year 1 to Year 2 "journey" as the one being analyzed. Coker's top-two Journey Comparables? Jakobi Meyers and Allen Hurns. Meyers went from 26 catches as a rookie to 59 (in 14 games) as a second-year player. Hurns saw 51 grabs during his rookie year and followed it up with 64 the next season. Coker getting to 60 doesn't seem crazy at all, especially if he just ends up being a better player than Legette. And I think he is.

​

[/td]

I don’t think that is bold, I wouldn’t be shocked if he led the team in targets.

 

[Doubles]

JJ Zacharison has a bold take that Coker finishes with at least 60 receptions this season:

​ [td]Why This Is Bold: Coker is a very late-round pick, and fewer than 40 wideouts got to 60 catches last year. Why This Will Happen: Adam Thielen was moved to Minnesota on Wednesday, and the biggest winner of that move is probably Jalen Coker. To me, the most impressive rookie wideout in Carolina last year wasn't Xavier Legette. It was Coker. While Legette finished his season with a yards-per-route-run rate of just 1.19, Coker's sat at an impressive 1.72. Legette played more of a perimeter role, while Coker handled 61% of his routes, per PFF, from the slot. And Coker's slot yards-per-route-run rate was a very strong 1.85. Without Thielen, Coker is likely to assume the slot role in Carolina's offense, with Tetairoa McMillan and Legette playing on the outside. That could lead to more advantageous matchups and, in turn, easier targets. The Late-Round Prospect Guide features Year 2 profiles -- you can get the guide for just $9.99 right now -- that include "Journey Comparables", or players who went on a similar Year 1 to Year 2 "journey" as the one being analyzed. Coker's top-two Journey Comparables? Jakobi Meyers and Allen Hurns. Meyers went from 26 catches as a rookie to 59 (in 14 games) as a second-year player. Hurns saw 51 grabs during his rookie year and followed it up with 64 the next season. Coker getting to 60 doesn't seem crazy at all, especially if he just ends up being a better player than Legette. And I think he is.

​

[/td]

I don’t think that is bold, I wouldn’t be shocked if he led the team in targets.

Yeah he had a caveat about how his aren’t even that bold. Just “shining a light on the tail outcomes that could swing leagues if true.”

 

[Ilov80s]

JJ Zacharison has a bold take that Coker finishes with at least 60 receptions this season:

​ [td]Why This Is Bold: Coker is a very late-round pick, and fewer than 40 wideouts got to 60 catches last year. Why This Will Happen: Adam Thielen was moved to Minnesota on Wednesday, and the biggest winner of that move is probably Jalen Coker. To me, the most impressive rookie wideout in Carolina last year wasn't Xavier Legette. It was Coker. While Legette finished his season with a yards-per-route-run rate of just 1.19, Coker's sat at an impressive 1.72. Legette played more of a perimeter role, while Coker handled 61% of his routes, per PFF, from the slot. And Coker's slot yards-per-route-run rate was a very strong 1.85. Without Thielen, Coker is likely to assume the slot role in Carolina's offense, with Tetairoa McMillan and Legette playing on the outside. That could lead to more advantageous matchups and, in turn, easier targets. The Late-Round Prospect Guide features Year 2 profiles -- you can get the guide for just $9.99 right now -- that include "Journey Comparables", or players who went on a similar Year 1 to Year 2 "journey" as the one being analyzed. Coker's top-two Journey Comparables? Jakobi Meyers and Allen Hurns. Meyers went from 26 catches as a rookie to 59 (in 14 games) as a second-year player. Hurns saw 51 grabs during his rookie year and followed it up with 64 the next season. Coker getting to 60 doesn't seem crazy at all, especially if he just ends up being a better player than Legette. And I think he is.

​

[/td]

I don’t think that is bold, I wouldn’t be shocked if he led the team in targets.

Certainly nobody is drafting him like they expect it. I am in a 16 team leagues and he just went 13th round. 60 catches in PPR pretty much locks you in as a WR4/flex player. That's basically what Calvin Ridley, Marvin Harrison Jr and Jordan Addison did last year.

 

[Runkle]

Would probably have to drop Buffalo's Shakir for him. Mulling it over

 

[Terpman22]

Would probably have to drop Buffalo's Shakir for him. Mulling it over

Yeah I would not

 

[Sir Psycho]

Drop Jauan Jennings for him.

 

[ponchsox]

GM says Coker is playing in the slot

NFL Daily News (@fantasynflnews.bsky.social)

GM Morgan: Jalen Coker will play in the slot.

bsky.app

 

[Football Jones]

Cokeheads rise up. Coker is another late round/undrafted gem that's popping up more and more lately. Not sure what dynamic is causing it, but I'm happy it's a thing.

The Panthers will likely try to make Tet their WR1. I'm just not sure he's better than the Coke man.

 

[Terpman22]

Cokeheads rise up. Coker is another late round/undrafted gem that's popping up more and more lately. Not sure what dynamic is causing it, but I'm happy it's a thing.

The Panthers will likely try to make Tet their WR1. I'm just not sure he's better than the Coke man.

Can we be called Coker Heads though please

 

[Football Jones]

Cokeheads rise up. Coker is another late round/undrafted gem that's popping up more and more lately. Not sure what dynamic is causing it, but I'm happy it's a thing.

The Panthers will likely try to make Tet their WR1. I'm just not sure he's better than the Coke man.

Can we be called Coker Heads though please

Sorry, not going to happen...

 

[Runkle]

Cokeheads rise up. Coker is another late round/undrafted gem that's popping up more and more lately. Not sure what dynamic is causing it, but I'm happy it's a thing.

The Panthers will likely try to make Tet their WR1. I'm just not sure he's better than the Coke man.

Can we be called Coker Heads though please

Sorry, not going to happen...

 

[socrates]

Cokeheads rise up. Coker is another late round/undrafted gem that's popping up more and more lately. Not sure what dynamic is causing it, but I'm happy it's a thing.

The Panthers will likely try to make Tet their WR1. I'm just not sure he's better than the Coke man.

Can we be called Coker Heads though please

No, but "have a Coker and a smile"

 

[Faust]

Matt Harmon
Jalen Coker 2024 #ReceptionPerception Profile

Some highlights:
- 70.5% success rate vs. man coverage
- 78.4% success rate vs. zone coverage
- 70.4% success rate vs press
- Strong hands overall and good contested catch rate

Really love his fit as a big slot and flanker for the Panthers who can win on crucial intermediate routes.

Full profile:
receptionperception.com/jalen-coker-20…

https://x.com/mattharmon_byb/status/1960711629932228959?s=61

 

[Faust]

Zareh Kantzabedian
Jalen Coker is projected to be the starting slot receiver for the Carolina Panthers in 2025. So, how was Coker from the slot in 2024?

From the slot, Coker ran 64 routes and earned 20 targets for 170 yards while Bryce Young was starting.

On those targets, Coker averaged 2.65 yards per route, ranking sixth in Y/RR from the slot behind these WRs:

Adam Thielen
Puka Nacua
Brian Thomas Jr
Rashod Bateman
George Pickens
Chris Godwin
Terry McLaurin

Xavier Legette received 44 more targets from the slot than Coker did. Despite that, Coker earned 135 more receiving yards than Legette.

Coker's sample size was small last year, but he may be trending as a great slot WR and a true league winner in 2025.

Coker is rostered in 1.8% of @ESPNFantasy leagues and 3% of @YahooFantasy leagues. Scoop him up.

https://x.com/zkantzff/status/1961144792903307569?s=61

 

[(HULK)]

GM says Coker is playing in the slot

NFL Daily News (@fantasynflnews.bsky.social)

GM Morgan: Jalen Coker will play in the slot.

bsky.app

This should be a clear signal that Coker is a top 24 ppr WR as long as he's healthy.

Canales slot role is a very juicy role.

 

[(HULK)]

Cokeheads rise up. Coker is another late round/undrafted gem that's popping up more and more lately. Not sure what dynamic is causing it, but I'm happy it's a thing.

The Panthers will likely try to make Tet their WR1. I'm just not sure he's better than the Coke man.

This year, the Cokeheads that were also able to grab a Bill to pair with him in the later rounds are going to snort their way to the championship IMO.

Now we just need a late round stud next year named Lines or something.

 

[Winning IS Everything]

I just grabbed my share of have a Coker and a smile..... Needed WR depth and I am loaded at RB and dropped Brian Robinson for him. Worst case, I can likely reverse the move in week 3 or 4.

 

[efactor]

With Rice and Godwin on my redraft squad, I’m aboard the Coker train.

LFG!

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Let's play a game called I'm taking Coker over _____________

-I'll get the party started, Cooper Kupp. Would you release him if he were your WR5/6 last guy on the bench and swing for something like this?
Honest discussion, just trying to get a gauge of where folks are out less than 1 week from kickoff

 

[GoBirds]

Coker or Legette should be interesting to watch play out.

 

[Doubles]

Let's play a game called I'm taking Coker over _____________

-I'll get the party started, Cooper Kupp. Would you release him if he were your WR5/6 last guy on the bench and swing for something like this?
Honest discussion, just trying to get a gauge of where folks are out less than 1 week from kickoff

Damn you started out with a tough one. Because we know what Kupp is and could be. If he is even some of that, then he’s a huge piece that you drafted late. But Coker could also be anything. He could even be Cooper Kupp.

Sorry to make that joke but I feel like it fits.

 

[socrates]

Let's play a game called I'm taking Coker over _____________

-I'll get the party started, Cooper Kupp. Would you release him if he were your WR5/6 last guy on the bench and swing for something like this?
Honest discussion, just trying to get a gauge of where folks are out less than 1 week from kickoff

I think it is close between Coker and Cupp, but I probably lean slightly toward Cupp (Redraft)

Coker over Amari Cooper?
Coker over Khalil Shakir?
Coker over DeMario Douglas?
Coker over Brandon Aiyuk?

I like Coker. I have him prioritized ahead of Malik Washington (whom I also like). I am still struggling to arrive at a redraft value.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I think it is close between Coker and Cupp, but I probably lean slightly toward Cupp (Redraft)

Coker over Amari Cooper? Coker...i don't see a lot of upside with Cooper, was in Dallas '21, Cle '23, Buf '24, signed off the streets LVR '25.
Coker over Khalil Shakir? I think Shakir deserves the nod here
Coker over DeMario Douglas? I like DD a lot, he's hyped in camp and Maye is said to favor him in practice
Coker over Brandon Aiyuk? Not wroth the roster spot right now. Likely out 2 months I've seen.

I like Coker. I have him prioritized ahead of Malik Washington (whom I also like). I am still struggling to arrive at a redraft value.

 

[Ray Barboni]

Placed on IR just now. WTF

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Leggett

Also they signed Renfrow. So maybe this is a longer term issue than 4 weeks?


Bet they regret moving off Thielen now.

 

[OnTheReg]

Where the heck did this come from ugh

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Where the heck did this come from ugh

Straight outta left field

 

[SoBeDad]

>>Panthers re-sign WR Hunter Renfrow to 53-man roster and place WR Jalen Coker on injured reserve with a quad injury he suffered in practice Thursday.

Renfrow could have an immediate role in Carolina’s offense.<<

https://x.com/CameronWolfe/status/1961821058614353949

Renfrow<<Coker.

 

[Insein]

Welp....

 

[Terpman22]

Damn, DOA before the season. Just too much Coker

 

[King of the Jungle]

Bummer for CAR right trading Thielen.

 

[massraider]

The Coker/Rice play people were making in Best Ball just went bye bye

 

[massraider]

Jalen Coker expected to miss 4-6 weeks, per league source. He pulled his quad running a deep ball on 1-on-1s.


https://x.com/josephperson/status/1961825687410508185

https://x.com/josephperson/status/1961825687410508185

 

[Runkle]

Ffs

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Quads can be tough. It’s a big muscle. Depends how severe of course. But it’s less than ideal.

 

[massraider]

New World Record set for preseason darling disappointment.

 

[oldmanhawkins]

 

[SoBeDad]

A hit to Bryce Young. Tetairoa's value increases a little.

 

[socrates]

I wonder if this will prompt Carolina to bring Renfrow back to play the slot role until Coker returns

Edit to add: Oops, look like they already did

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I wonder if this will prompt Carolina to bring Renfrow back to play the slot role until Coker returns

They already did.

Panthers signed WR Hunter Renfrow.
Renfrow is back with the Panthers mere days after being cut, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Panthers can better use Renfrow’s services now after they traded Adam Thielen to the Vikings and Jalen Coker (quad) went down with an injury. Renfrow could see a good amount of work from the slot in at least the first four games of the season as that’s where the team planned on using Coker. Can a Hunter Renfrow PPR scam work in 2025? I guess we’re going to find out.