In the course of 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 capability (98th percentile vertical bounce and 86th percentile broad bounce on the NFL Mix) matched his tape at Holy Cross, and was indicative of a participant who may very well be a legit NFL go catcher.
Since Week 5, Coker has performed on over 50% of the snaps for the Panthers’ offense, and hasn’t dissatisfied. Coker is second on the workforce 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 had been his capability to trace the ball and modify when the ball is within the air, and in Carolina it’s come collectively rather well. He had his greatest sport 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 ingredient 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 position early. The Panthers movement a receiver inside Coker, and when the ball is snapped he runs a double transfer. There’s not plenty of separation on this route, however an important throw by Younger is accompanied by a unbelievable 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, but it surely’s a superb depiction of what Coker can convey to an offense. He could make these troublesome catches look simple with longer arms and nice focus and deal with these passes. He additionally positive aspects floor actually rapidly on this route, which is a bit intriguing to me.
His landing on Sunday was an important instance of what he can convey to the Panthers’ offense. Coker is working a fade route within the crimson zone, and Younger places this a bit behind him. Coker is ready to modify to this ball and make this tight window throw appear like a simple catch for him. I actually like Coker’s sport, 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 means, and the Panthers’ subsequent sport in opposition to the Saints is an effective likelihood to see what Coker can do.
