Who Should I Start? Jalen Coker or Jayden Higgins

Wednesday, June 11, 9:53 PM

The Charlotte Observer's Mike Kaye said that Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (undisclosed) looked fast during offseason practice on Wednesday, and his undisclosed soft-tissue injury appears to be mostly resolved. Both he and Xavier Legette had nice catch-and-run plays during seven-on-seven drills. Coker went undrafted out of Holy Cross last year but latched on with the Panthers and exceeded expectations with a 32-478-2 line on 46 targets over 11 games (four starts). However, the return of veteran Adam Thielen and the team drafting Tetairoa McMillan in the first round of this year's NFL draft won't make it easier for the 23-year-old to develop a bigger role in his sophomore campaign in 2025. If he wants to remain in starting three-wide sets, he's going to have to beat out Legette. RotoBaller has Coker ranked as the No. 69 fantasy receiver.

Thursday, May 8, 7:54 PM

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Houston Texans second-round wide receiver Jayden Higgins has signed his four-year, $11.7 million rookie deal. The Texans chose the 22-year-old with the second pick of the second round (their first selection) in last month's draft -- the first of two wideouts taken, joining third-rounder Jaylin Noel. With the news that teammate Tank Dell (knee) will most likely miss the 2025 season due to a complex knee injury he suffered last December, Higgins should get an immediate opportunity to make an impact on the field. The Iowa state alum is a big-bodied receiver with burst, who should operate nicely across from incumbent starter Nico Collins. Fortunately for him, he needs only beat out Christian Kirk to operate as the team's second wideout, and Kirk typically runs from the slot, where Higgins doesn't project to line up.