Who Should I Start? Diontae Johnson or Jalen Coker

Tuesday, June 24, 2:10 PM

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Diontae Johnson believes veteran quarterback Kenny Pickett will be the team's starting quarterback following the competition against Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Pickett spent last season with the Philadelphia Eagles, winning his first Super Bowl ring as Jalen Hurts' backup. The 2022 first-round pick out of Pitt struggled to make a positive impact with the Pittsburgh Steelers, throwing for 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 25 career games. He looked competent in limited action with the Eagles, throwing for 291 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. However, that was behind the league's best offensive line and with A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Saquon Barkley to throw the ball to. If Pickett wins the starting job in Cleveland, he likely won't offer much fantasy upside and can be ignored in single-QB formats to start the new campaign. If he struggles early, the team could opt to move to Joe Flacco or one of the first-year signal callers.

Tuesday, June 17, 2:43 PM

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker enjoyed a relatively productive rookie campaign in 2024, securing 32 of his 46 targets for 478 yards and two touchdowns. That's a solid season of productivity for an undrafted rookie out of Holy Cross, and he could be a contributor in 2025. However, Joe Person of The Athletic did not include Coker as a roster lock at wideout. He listed Adam Thielen, Tetairoa McMillan, and Xavier Legette as safely making the 53-man roster and mentioned rookie Jimmy Horn is likely to make the team thanks to his skills as a returner. The team only carried five wide receivers last season to begin the year, so that leaves Coker, Hunter Renfrow, Dan Chisena, David Moore, and Jacolby George potentially fighting for the last spot. "Special teams is going to be such a huge piece of that puzzle. How can these guys help us in the coverage units? Can they help us as a returner?" Head coach Dave Canales said. "That's the part where we get to challenge our guys to find a role, take this thing seriously. 'You're not here just to catch passes. We only get so many helmets on game day, so we need all of you guys to contribute in different ways." Coker is likely the "favorite" to win a roster spot, but this situation should be monitored. Should Coker not make the team, there should be plenty of interest in his services.