Jalen Coker named most likely UDFA to make Panthers roster

WR Jalen Coker may have a solid chance to stick on to the Panthers’ 53-man roster come September.

The Carolina Panthers have reportedly agreed to terms with 13 undrafted free agents. But which one of those 13 is most likely to stick on when the 53-man roster comes into effect?

Bleacher Report analyst Ryan Fowler recently gave his prediction on exactly that, for each of the league’s 32 teams. And for the Panthers, he lands on wide receiver Jalen Coker.

Fowler writes:

Jalen Coker was one of the premier wideouts among lower-level prospects. He figures to open eyes in Carolina this summer.

After being invited to both the Shrine Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine, Coker remained a common topic of conversation surrounding Day 3 pass-catchers. While he didn’t hear his name called during the draft, Coker enters Carolina with an excellent opportunity to prove why the attention surrounding his game in the predraft process wasn’t a fluke.

Coker’s knack for winning on high-leverage downs gives him an excellent floor as a prospect looking to crack the roster.

The 6-foot-1, 208-pound pass catcher spent four seasons at the College of Holy Cross—where he’d become the program’s all-time leader in receiving yards (2,715) and receiving touchdowns (31).

Excluding undrafted free agents and unsigned first-round pick Xavier Legette, the Panthers are currently carrying the following wideouts on their roster: Adam Thielen, Diontae Johnson, Jonathan Mingo, Terrace Marshall Jr., Ihmir Smith-Marsette, David Moore, Mike Strachan, Jalen Camp, Cam Sims.

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WATCH: Emotional Jalen Coker learns he’s signing with Panthers

Jalen Coker didn’t have to hear his name called at the podium to get his NFL draft moment.

You don’t have to hear your name called at a podium to have your NFL draft moment.

That proved true for wide receiver Jalen Coker—who, despite being considered one of the better Day 3 prospects of this year’s event, was not officially drafted last weekend. Instead, he signed with the Carolina Panthers after 257 of his peers had their names announced—an emotional and powerful moment that was captured on video . . .

A Sterling, Va. native, Coker played at the College of Holy Cross in Worchester, Mass. from 2020 to 2023. He ended what would be a heavily-decorated four-year tenure with multiple school records—becoming the program’s all-time leader in receiving yards (2,715) and receiving touchdowns (31).

Coker measured out at 6-foot-1 and 208 pounds during the 2024 scouting combine. He also clocked a relatively impressive 4.57-second 40-yard dash as well as a 42.5-inch vertical jump—which was tied for the highest amongst all wideouts in Indianapolis.

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Panthers projected depth chart following 2024 NFL draft

How do this year’s draft picks and undrafted free agents fit into the fold for the Panthers?

We’re not going to get too ahead of ourselves with our new friends. But we are a bit eager to see their names in the mix.

Here, with undrafted free agents included, is our projected depth chart for the Carolina Panthers following the 2024 NFL draft . . .

Bold = draft pick
Italics = undrafted free-agent signee

Offense:

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
QB Bryce Young Andy Dalton Jack Plummer
RB Chuba Hubbard Miles Sanders Jonathon Brooks Raheem Blackshear Mike Boone Spencer Brown Tarik Cohen Jaden Shirden
WR Diontae Johnson Jonathan Mingo David Moore Jalen Camp Jalen Coker
WR Xavier Legette Terrace Marshall Jr. Michael Strachan Cam Sims Sam Pinckney
SWR Adam Thielen Ihmir Smith-Marsette Devin Carter
TE Tommy Tremble Ja’Tavion Sanders Ian Thomas Stephen Sullivan Jordan Matthews Chris Pierce
LT Ikem Ekwonu Yosh Nijman Ricky Lee Jeremiah Crawford
LG Damien Lewis Cade Mays
C Austin Corbett Brady Christensen Andrew Raym
RG Robert Hunt Chandler Zavala Nash Jensen J.D. DiRenzo
RT Taylor Moton Ilm Manning Badara Traore

Defense:

1st 2nd 3rd 4th
DE Derrick Brown LaBryan Ray Jaden Crumedy
DT Shy Tuttle Nick Thurman Popo Aumavae
DE A’Shawn Robinson Raequan Williams
OLB Jadeveon Clowney K’Lavon Chaisson Amaré Barno Derrick McClendon
LB Shaq Thompson Trevin Wallace Chandler Wooten Claudin Cherelus
LB Josey Jewell Tae Davis Michael Barrett Jackson Mitchell
OLB D.J. Wonnum DJ Johnson Luiji Vilain Taylor Upshaw
CB Jaycee Horn D’Shawn Jamison Lamar Jackson
CB Dane Jackson Dicaprio Bootle Willie Drew
SS Xavier Woods Jammie Robinson Sam Franklin Jr. Demani Richardson Clayton Isbell
FS Jordan Fuller Nick Scott Alex Cook DeShawn Gaddie Jr.
NCB Troy Hill Chau Smith-Wade AJ Parker

Special teams:

1st 2nd
K Eddy Piñeiro Harrison Mevis
P Johnny Hekker
LS JJ Jansen
KR Raheem Blackshear Ihmir Smith-Marsette Xavier Legette
PR Ihmir Smith-Marsette Xavier Legette

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Offensive standouts for Chargers from East-West Shrine Bowl: Day 1

Here’s who stood out on the offensive side of the ball on the first day of practices.

While the majority of the organization focuses on the general manager search and head coach Jim Harbaugh’s introductory press conference on Thursday, four members of the Chargers organization have traveled to Frisco, TX for the East-West Shrine Bowl.

Practices for the all-star event kicked off Saturday. Here are five players who stood out on the offensive side of the ball.

20 Shrine Bowl players to know before practices kick off

20 Shrine Bowl prospects to know for the 2024 NFL draft before practices kick off

The 99th annual East-West Shrine Bowl week is coming up quickly. Over 100 draft prospects will go through practices and interviews with scouting personnel from all 32 NFL teams in hopes of improving their stock for the 2024 NFL draft.

This year’s Shrine Bowl moves to The Star in Frisco, Texas. Practices kick off on Saturday and run through Tuesday, with the game scheduled for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff on Thursday, February 1st.

Here are some of the top players to know from the East and West rosters, which will be coached by current NFL assistants across several teams.