Through 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 skill (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 might be a professional NFL go catcher.
Since Week 5, Coker has performed on over 50% of the snaps for the Panthers’ offense, and hasn’t upset. 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 school had been his skill to trace the ball and regulate when the ball is within the air, and in Carolina it’s come collectively very well. He had his finest 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 factor to this offense that the Panthers are lacking. Whereas WR Xavier Legette is extra of an in between participant, Coker can win downfield and together with his ball monitoring expertise he can win on this function early. The Panthers movement a receiver within Coker, and when the ball is snapped he runs a double transfer. There’s not plenty of separation on this route, however an excellent throw by Younger is accompanied by a improbable over the shoulder catch by Coker for an enormous play. That is one thing the Panthers can work with!
This play will get referred to as again for holding, however it’s a superb depiction of what Coker can carry to an offense. He could make these tough catches look straightforward with longer arms and nice focus and concentrate on these passes. He additionally good points floor actually rapidly on this route, which is a bit intriguing to me.
His landing on Sunday was an excellent instance of what he can carry to the Panthers’ offense. Coker is working a fade route within the purple zone, and Younger places this a bit behind him. Coker is ready to regulate to this ball and make this tight window throw appear like a straightforward catch for him. I actually like Coker’s sport, man. This child can play some ball.
With Diontae Johnson being traded to Baltimore, it is 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 sport in opposition to the Saints is an effective likelihood to see what Coker can do.