Following the Adam Thielen trade, Panthers GM Dan Morgan confirmed that WR Jalen Coker will play in the slot in 2025, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer.
Kaye: “Panthers GM Dan Morgan on WR room, specifically says Jalen Coker will play in the slot.”
Coker was already generating buzz in the fantasy football community, but Wednesday’s trade of veteran WR Adam Thielen only added fuel to the fire.
The undrafted sophomore has been putting together a stellar preseason, and now he’s set to operate as Carolina’s WR2, as well as their primary slot man. Over the past two seasons, Thielen has operated from the slot 67.2% of the time, averaging 7.4 targets per game and posting a 23% target share during that span.
With Hunter Renfrow also gone, that slot role exclusively belongs to Coker. As a rookie in 2024, Coker ran 158 routes from the slot, averaging 2.0 yards per route and drawing a target on 16.5% of those routes. But when paired with QB Bryce Young’s ascension following the Week 12 bye, Coker’s slot numbers look better.
From Weeks 15-18, Coker from the slot:
It isn’t a huge sample size (he missed Weeks 12-14), but the flashes are difficult to ignore. With a clear runway to targets and a growing rapport with Young, Coker is poised for the largest role of his young career.
He should be drafted in all 12-team formats.
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