Who Should I Start? Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Jalen Coker

Saturday, September 13, 3:22 AM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling saw zero targets on 15 routes run in Week 1. With George Kittle (hamstring) now on injured reserve and Jauan Jennings (shoulder) tagged as questionable for San Francisco's Week 2 matchup against the Saints, it is possible that Valdes-Scantling plays a bigger role on Sunday. Unfortunately, Brock Purdy (toe, shoulder) has been ruled out so it will be Mac Jones under center, limiting Valdes-Scantling's upside even if he does see more playing time. MVS does have the ability to stretch the field but Jones' career completion rate on passes of 20 or more air yards is a mere 30%, effectively negating that threat. If it were Purdy running the show, Valdes-Scantling would have more potential but as it is, he has little viability in Week 2.

Friday, October 10, 1:06 PM

The Carolina Panthers have listed wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps) as questionable to make his 2025 debut in Week 6 against the visiting Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Despite practicing in full on Wednesday and Thursday, Coker will be a game-time decision on Sunday. The 23-year-old missed the first five weeks of the season due to a pretty serious quadriceps injury that he suffered at the end of August, but he's almost fully recovered. The Panthers could ease Coker back into the fold whenever he's officially activated from Injured Reserve, but given the lack of production behind rookie Tetairoa McMillan this year, the second-year pass-catcher could quickly earn plenty of playing time in Carolina. Coker won't be a realistic starting option in fantasy if he's active this weekend, but he's deserving of a waiver-wire pickup and stash now that his 2025 debut is just around the corner.