Who Should I Start? KaVontae Turpin or Jalen Coker

Tuesday, March 11, 2:07 PM

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver/return specialist KaVontae Turpin is signing back with the Dallas Cowboys on a three-year, $18 million deal, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. The 28-year-old was recently given a second-round tender that would pay him $5.38 million in 2025 but has now agreed to the new deal. Turpin went undrafted in 2019 out of TCU and spent four different alternative leagues before signing with Dallas in 2022. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2024 and has a first-team All-Pro nod for his work as a return specialist in 2024. Overall, Turpin has returned 60 punts for 569 yards and one touchdown and returned 58 kickoffs for 1,704 yards and a score in 50 career games. As a receiver, he's hauled in 44 passes for 556 yards and five touchdowns. Turpin plays a valuable role for Dallas, but he's unlikely to be on the fantasy football radar since he's primarily a special teamer.

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.