Carolina has made its new arrangements.
Panthers announce Jalen Coker WR role change after Adam Thielen trade originally appeared on The Sporting News
The Carolina Panthers created an opening on Wednesday when they traded slot receiver Adam Thielen to the Minnesota Vikings.
They've filled it by Thursday. GM Dan Morgan told reporters that Jalen Coker will be the new top option in the slot for the Panthers.
It's not a totally new role for Coker. He played 66.7% of his snaps in 2024 out of either the left slot or the right slot.
But now, it sounds like that'll be his go-to location all the time.
Coker was a bit of a surprise as a rookie. He attended Holy Cross and wasn't drafted, but the 6-foot-3, 213-pound WR made an immediate impression as an undrafted free agent for Carolina.
He ended up playing in 11 games, starting four. He caught 32 passes for 478 yards and a couple of touchdowns.
Those numbers will likely rise if he can hold the starting slot spot the entire season.
The Panthers have a pair of first-round picks slated to start out wide.
There's 2024 first-rounder Xavier Legette, and now 2025 first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan.
They're all out there hoping to help Bryce Young.
The No. 1 overall pick in 2023 out of Alabama, Young had looked like a draft bust until he returned from his benching late in the 2024 season to look like a solid QB.
He's still got to prove himself, but he's certainly got some good talent to throw to that should help the cause both for the quarterback and for the Panthers as a whole.
Category: Football
