Who Should I Start? Jalen Coker or Devaughn Vele

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.

Saturday, June 7, 1:10 PM

The Denver Post's Troy Renck writes that Denver Broncos second-year wide receiver Devaughn Vele has been turning heads during voluntary organized team activities this offseason and looks like he could be the future replacement for Courtland Sutton. The 27-year-old was a seventh-round pick (235th overall) last year out of Utah but served as the team's slot receiver in his first year in the NFL for most of 2024, finishing with 41 receptions on 55 targets for 475 yards and three touchdowns in 13 regular-season games (seven starts). Vele is old for a second-year wideout, but if he continues to impress the coaching staff, he could continue to have a big role in Year 2 alongside Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr., but he's going to have to fight off Troy Franklin and rookie Pat Bryant. The Broncos also added tight end Evan Engram, who could very well be the No. 2 receiving target for quarterback Bo Nix.