Throughout the 2024 NFL Draft course of, a prospect I used to be actually intrigued by was present Carolina Panthers’ wideout Jalen Coker. His robust palms and explosive leaping means (98th percentile vertical leap and 86th percentile broad leap on the NFL Mix) matched his tape at Holy Cross, and was indicative of a participant who could possibly be a reliable NFL cross catcher.
Since Week 5, Coker has performed on over 50% of the snaps for the Panthers’ offense, and hasn’t disenchanted. Coker is second on the crew in receptions since Week 5, first in Yards per Route Run and a pristine 0.7 EPA per goal. Appears fairly good for a UDFA from Holy Cross! The issues that stood out to me watching Coker in faculty have been his means to trace the ball and alter when the ball is within the air, and in Carolina it’s come collectively rather well. He had his finest recreation of the season in opposition to Denver, main the Panthers in receiving yards and catching a landing, whereas including some actually enjoyable moments in between.
Coker’s ball monitoring on deep routes is such a cool aspect to this offense that the Panthers are lacking. Whereas WR Xavier Legette is extra of an in between participant, Coker can win downfield and along with his ball monitoring expertise he can win on this function early. The Panthers movement a receiver inside Coker, and when the ball is snapped he runs a double transfer. There’s not a whole lot of separation on this route, however an ideal throw by Younger is accompanied by a implausible over the shoulder catch by Coker for an enormous play. That is one thing the Panthers can work with!
This play will get known as again for holding, nevertheless it’s a very good depiction of what Coker can convey to an offense. He could make these troublesome catches look straightforward with longer arms and nice focus and deal with these passes. He additionally beneficial properties floor actually rapidly on this route, which is a bit of intriguing to me.
His landing on Sunday was an ideal instance of what he can convey to the Panthers’ offense. Coker is operating a fade route within the purple zone, and Younger places this a bit of behind him. Coker is ready to alter to this ball and make this tight window throw seem like a simple catch for him. I actually like Coker’s recreation, man. This child can play some ball.
With Diontae Johnson being traded to Baltimore, this can be a good time for Coker to get extra reps. I’m excited to see his development with extra reps and targets thrown his method, and the Panthers’ subsequent recreation in opposition to the Saints is an efficient likelihood to see what Coker can do.
