Who Should I Start? Nick Westbrook-Ikhine or Jalen Coker

Friday, July 25, 6:58 PM

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is back at practice after missing June minicamp due to an undisclosed injury. He had a good day on Friday when he caught a 25-yard pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. It's nice to see the two of them building chemistry together. Westbrook-Ikhine signed a two-year, $5.99 million deal with the Dolphins over the offseason. He hauled in 32 receptions for 497 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games with the Tennessee Titans last season. He figures to be the third wideout behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

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.