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Carolina Panthers wide receiver streaks away from Los Angeles Rams defenders.
Many would agree that the Carolina Panthers took a step forward in 2025.
The franchise went 8-9 during the 2025 season while adding good talent in back-to-back seasons. The team did finish below .500 in 2025 for the eighth consecutive year, but the club won the NFC South for the first time since 2015.
The team seems to be trending in the right direction after going a combined 7-27 from 2023-2024.
“Now it’s back to business for the club. Via Spotrac, Morgan has numerous decisions to make on the team’s current personnel in terms of pending unrestricted (20), restricted (4), and exclusive rights (2) free agents,” Russell Baxter wrote in a Sports Illustrated article.
Jalen Coker Is Carolina’s Highest-Graded Potential Free Agent
Pro Football Focus released every NFL team’s highest-graded pending free agent from 2025. For Carolina, Wide Recevier Jalen Coker has the highest grade.
“The Panthers’ passing game didn’t excel as many anticipated this year, placing 26th in EPA per play.” Bradley Locker wrote in the PFF article. “In large part, Coker’s availability influenced those results. The second-year wideout played just 498 snaps — all in Week 7 or later — but was efficient when on the field, yielding a 75.3 PFF receiving grade with a 116.7 passer rating when targeted. The good news for Carolina is that Coker should be retained as an exclusive rights free agent, presumably giving Bryce Young another young weapon back in the saddle.”
Jalen Coker was a 2024 undrafted free agent. The 6’3, 208-pound wideout had himself a breakout playoff performance against the Los Angeles Rams.
Coker caught 9 passes on 12 targets for 134 yards and one touchdown. Despite Coker’s efforts, the Panthers fell short 34-31 in a thriller.
“In the team’s final 11 games, the former undrafted free agent totaled 33 catches for 394 yards and three scores,” Baxter wrote in the SI article. “Coker has no negotiation power being an ERFA, however the underrated performer has perhaps earned more than just a one-year deal after his second solid campaign.”
In two seasons with Carolina, Coker has 65 receptions for 871 yards. He has caught five touchdowns including a career long 83-yard touchdown catch.
Coker Could Be a Crucial Piece in Panthers Young Core
Jalen Coker’s last playoff performance might have earned him a contract.
“The playoff performance was proof that Coker can be an elite wide receiver when the ball goes his way.” Jeremy Brener wrote in a January 23rd SI article. “It remains to be seen if Coker should be given a massive deal for his next contract, but it’s clear that he needs some kind of raise.”
“Perhaps the Panthers could sign him to a two-year contract that would get him to the end of his fourth season… Coker was undrafted, so he has been going year to year, but a multi-year deal would give him the financial security that could allow him to play a little more freely.”
The Panthers scored big on potential offensive rookie of the year Tetairoa McMillan. Xavier Legette has yet to make his stride but has shown flashes of being a solid receiver.
If Carolina resigns Coker, he could be a key piece in this talented core of wide receivers for the Panthers.
DeonTay Smith is a journalist who covers the NFL for Heavy.com with a focus on the Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and the Baltimore Ravens. A graduate from Methodist University, Smith also covers local news for the Panama City News Herald and hosts his own YouTube podcast. More about DeonTay Smith
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