Jalen Coker’s fantasy outlook is heating up as he emerges as one of the most intriguing WR sleepers after the Panthers dealt Diontae Johnson to the Ravens.
Coker led the Panthers in receiving last week, reeling in four receptions on six targets for 78 yards and a touchdown. This performance showcased his potential beyond his rapport with Andy Dalton, as Coker adapted with Bryce Young at quarterback. With Young starting for what could and should be the remainder of the season, Coker demonstrated his versatility and upside with Johnson out of the lineup.
Across five games, the undrafted free agent has racked up a modest 12 receptions on 15 targets for 186 yards and two touchdowns. His efficiency and connection with the two quarterbacks are evident, as he has a team-high passer rating of 112.8 when he’s targeted. Coker’s deep-threat capabilities also stand out, as Dalton and Young average 13 air yards per pass to him—the most of any Panthers receiver—despite facing tight coverage on 20% of those attempts, per Fantasy Points Data.
His presence has grown since Week 5, playing over 50% of offensive snaps and posting impressive metrics, including ranking first on the team in Yards per Route Run and boasting an EPA per target of 0.7.
“How consistent he is, how hard of a worker he is,” Young described of Coker. “From getting very limited reps throughout the offseason and practice squad and being so consistent throughout that, and then being the same person when he was put into a role like he was today.”
Coker’s fantasy outlook is rising as he continues to be a high-upside playmaker out of the slot in the Panthers’ offense. Plus, he’s still available in nearly 95% of Sleeper leagues.
JALEN COKER ATHLETIC PROFILE & FCS STUD
Jalen Coker was an FCS legend at Holy Cross, but he put himself on the map for myself and others during the pre-draft process, showing he belonged with elite FBS athletes at the Shrine Bowl and NFL Combine.
Coker tested well at the combine, especially for a small school receiver, securing a 9.46 Relative Athletic Score (RAS). He particularly shined as an explosive athlete with a 98th percentile 42.5″ vertical, an elite 10’8″ broad jump, and an impressive 10-yard split (1.52) on his 40-yard dash (4.57).
Coker stood out at Holy Cross, leaving the program as the all-time leader in touchdown receptions (31) and receiving yards (2,715). As a senior, he broke the program record for 15 receiving touchdowns and finished his final season with 1,040 yards on 59 receptions.
Coker’s blend of hops, strong hands, ball tracking, and body control makes him a high-upside slot in the NFL, with the ability to play X if needed. With fellow rookie Xavier Legette, the two young receivers complement each other’s game to form a solid one-two punch.
JALEN COKER FANTASY WEEK 9 AND REST OF SEASON OUTLOOK
Jalen Coker’s fantasy outlook as a top WR sleeper is gaining traction as he steps up for the Panthers to give Bryce Young a reliable chain mover.
Originally an undrafted free agent, Coker spent the offseason with Carolina, was released in late August, and later rejoined the practice squad. When the Panthers lost Adam Thielen to injured reserve after Week 3, Coker was elevated, taking on a more significant role in the receiving corps. In Week 8, with Thielen and Johnson sidelined, Coker’s opportunities increased, showcasing his total skill-set out of the slot.
Over the last four games, Coker has quietly led all Panthers’ pass-catchers in all key categories, including routes run, receiving yards, yards per route run, yards per target, and first downs per route.
Facing a Week 9 matchup against the Saints—who rank eighth in most fantasy points allowed to slot receivers and third in receiving yards per game allowed—Coker’s slot work could pay dividends for fantasy owners seeking a high-upside PPR option. His consistency and ability to produce in the Panthers’ offense make him a sleeper to watch, with a unique combination of efficiency and opportunity.
Coker is up to WR51 on The Wolf’s Week 9 Rankings and WR70 on The Wolf’s Rest of Season Rankings.
“But my number’s called and you either shine or you break you know, so I got to just try to do my thing every day and just continue to stack and get better,” Coker said of himself.