DONALD WATKINS | THE CHARLOTTE POST


Jalen Coker, an undrafted free agent as a rookie in 2024, was a surprise asset for the Carolina Panthers with 32 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns.


Jalen Coker didn’t complain.  

The Carolina Panthers wide receiver didn’t schedule a meeting with general manager Dan Morgan and coach Dave Canales to voice his concerns over new players getting preferential treatment on the developing depth chart.  

Coming off a seemingly out-of-nowhere productive rookie campaign, Coker understood the front office didn’t owe him anything. With Tetairoa McMillan drafted in the first round last April and a swath of free agents joining the fold last offseason, the former Holy Cross standout didn’t waste time pouting over the situation. He just went to work. 

“I think it’s easy to kind of fall into that and be like I’ve kind of proven myself,” Coker said. “But I try not to think about that because it’s a new year every year, and everyone in the league will say it, they’re trying to replace you every single year.” 

Morgan attempted to “replace” him with veteran Hunter Renfrow and undrafted free agents Jacolby George, Kobe Hudson or T.J. Luther. Outlasting the cut contenders, Coker earned a spot on the Panthers’ initial 53-man roster.  

There wasn’t much Coker, an undrafted free agent who started last season on the practice squad, would not attempt to maintain his roster spot for the season opener at Jacksonville on Sept . 7. 
With an opening on special teams during the summer, Coker raised his hand. 

Coker going special teamer route 

In the preseason opener against Cleveland on Aug. 8, Coker cradled a touchdown pass from quarterback Bryce Young and executed a one-handed grab deep downfield that was called back because of a penalty. Canales highlighted Coker’s effort during his postgame comments but not just for two athletic receptions. Coker’s performance on special teams also drew his attention. 

“I can’t wait to watch a special teams reel because he was on a couple of the teams and was available most of the night to help out that way too,” Canales said, “so, I’m really proud of him.”

As a rookie, Coker participated in 31 special teams plays last season. With a crowded receiver room this summer, he anticipated additional work on kickoffs would be a way to get on the field. 

As a top receiving option in college, toiling on special teams was not a craft Coker concerned himself with. His professional attitude matured. 

“Coming out of college, you want to be a receiver, you want to be a starter and all that stuff, so I think I didn’t take it as seriously,” Coker said on Aug. 19. “To come into this year [in a] bigger room, I’ve got to make an impact in a different way, so really buying into special teams, become a better blocker, all around just a better athlete.”  

A lift from young WRs 

Coker’s spot on the depth chart was elevated Wednesday after Adam Thielen was traded to the Minnesota Vikings.  

Morgan’s maneuver provided a bit of elbow room and lifted Coker into the starting slot receiver role, Morgan said.  

By jettisoning Thielen, who turned 35 years old Friday, Morgan said the front office had confidence entering the 2025 regular season with a young, but “talented” receiver corps. 

Here are the ages of Thursday’s seven rostered wide receivers. The average age was 24 years old:

• McMillan, 22  

• Xavier Legette, 24

• Coker, 23

• David Moore, 30 

• Jimmy Horn Jr., 22 

• Brycen Tremayne, 25 

• Dalevon Campbell, 23  

The unit’s combined age and experience did not concern Morgan and his staff much while compiling the regular-season roster. Not after analyzing their collective practice performances over the summer.  

“I think when you see the way TMac works out there, when you see the way XL works out there, Jalen Coker, David Moore, Jimmy Horn,” he said. “We feel like we have a really good young stable of wideouts that were mentored by a guy like Adam Thielen. 


“They’re more mature than their age and more polished than their age too. I don’t see any reason why they can’t go out there and step up and have a great season. I have full confidence in them.”

That group didn’t do much during a 0-3 preseason, however. The offensive starters, with Young under center, played a limited number of snaps in the opening two exhibition games. 

Young didn’t sound concerned about the starters’ inability to move the ball in three of their four series. Young engineered one sustained possession, a nine-play, 73-yard drive capped by Coker’s TD. The third-year quarterback remained focused on the potential of his offensive arsenal. Even without Thielen, his favorite target the past two seasons, Young is confident in Coker. 

“He’s been on a mission, and it shows up,” he said. “It’s showing up during camp, showed up during OTAs, that’s just the kind of player, kind of worker he is.” 

Coker may be Thielen’s heir apparent in the slot, but during Thursday’s practice, he again lined up with the punt team, refining his blocking technique. 

Last season, Coker emerged after Thielen’s Week 4 injury. He appeared in 11 games, including four starts with 32 receptions for 478 yards and two touchdowns.  

Morgan was asked Thursday why he believed Coker is the answer to replacing Thielen. 

“What makes me confident is the opportunity he got last year,” Morgan said. “He took full advantage of it. He was making plays out there all over the place. You see him out there on a day-to-day basis, he’s a baller.   

“He wants it. He wants to be great.” 

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