Who Should I Start? Jalen Coker or Arian Smith

Sunday, March 22, 6:00 PM

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker missed six games last year, but when healthy, he has shown that he can produce fantasy-relevant results. The 24-year-old stepped up as the Panthers' No. 2 receiver behind Tetairoa McMillan, and in doing so, he seemed to pass Xavier Legette on the depth chart. Coker averaged 3.7 catches, 46.9 yards, and 0.4 touchdowns per game from Week 11 through Week 18, ranking as the WR26 in PPR leagues during that span. He continued his explosive outburst with nine catches, 134 yards, and one touchdown in the Panthers' lone playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams. Coker has defied the odds as a 2024 undrafted free agent and is blossoming into a low-end WR3/flex for fantasy football purposes. Coker's slow first half of the 2025 season obscured his final stat line, so managers might have an opportunity to buy low on him in dynasty fantasy football. Managers should send out trade offers to acquire the 24-year-old ahead of a potentially significant breakout campaign in 2026.