Who Should I Start? Xavier Legette or Jalen Coker

Tuesday, April 1, 8:02 PM

At the Annual League Meeting on Tuesday, Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales compared wide receiver Xavier Legette to Pittsburgh Steelers wideout DK Metcalf. The Panthers reportedly checked in on Metcalf before the Seahawks traded him to Pittsburgh, but Carolina's head coach touted one of his own when asked about him. "I think we got that guy," Canales said, "I think it's Xavier." The 24-year-old flashed in 2024 but was mostly underwhelming and struggled with drops (eight on 81 targets). However, Canales believes we could see big things from Legette with an entire offseason under his belt. He also noted the second-year wideout's work ethic. "You can't get him out of the building. He's there early and late...he's doing all the right things, and with the hard work, it will pay off." The South Carolina native has a bit to go before he's fantasy-relevant, but the vote of confidence from his head coach is encouraging. He sits favorably on the team's depth chart for now, but that could change later this month after the draft.

Tuesday, May 27, 2:51 PM

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (undisclosed) is working off to the side during Tuesday's practice as he deals with a soft-tissue injury. This move is out of an abundance of caution, according to head coach Dave Canales. After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Coker had a relatively productive rookie season. He secured 32 of his 46 targets for 478 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games. The Holy Cross product was on the fantasy football radar on occasion last season and earned at least five targets in five games. While the team added first-round wideout Tetairoa McMillan in the 2025 NFL Draft, Coker could emerge into a full-time starter if Adam Thielen continues to get banged up in his age-35 season. Either way, he should be left on the waiver wire in traditional leagues since he'll likely start the year behind McMillan, Thielen, and 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette.