Sep 6, 2026, 12:30 PM ET

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker's name hasn't generated much buzz this draft season, but his role on offense makes him a very intriguing sleeper in fantasy football. Injuries have limited Coker to just 11 games in each of the last two seasons, but he took advantage of his opportunities last year with 33 catches, 394 yards, and three touchdowns across those 11 games. He came on especially strong in the second half of the season. From Weeks 11-18, he ranked as the WR26 in PPR leagues. Fortunately for Coker, as long as he stays healthy, he should continue to be a strong WR3/flex this season. The Panthers' passing offense looks nearly identical to last season. Coker is firmly entrenched as the No. 2 receiver behind Tetairoa McMillan, the team didn't bring in any big-name rookies to compete for targets, and Bryce Young is back as his quarterback for the third year in a row. The team also has no major threat for targets at tight end; Darren Waller sits atop the depth chart, and he's unlikely to replicate his six-touchdown campaign from last year given the nature of the difference between the Panthers and Dolphins offenses. All signs point to a high-volume role for Coker, who has proven that he can produce at the NFL level. Fortunately for fantasy managers, he's available at a very modest price tag right now. He currently has an ADP of 137.4, which corresponds to the 12th round of fantasy drafts and makes him the 54th receiver off the board.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 5, 2026, 2:18 PM ET

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette has a clearer hold on the No. 3 role after Chris Brazzell II went down with a season-ending knee injury. Brazzell had looked good early in camp and was expected to have a role, but surgery on the LCL in his left knee ended his rookie year before it started. Legette is now listed with the first-team offense alongside Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, and Carolina held all three out of the preseason finale because their roster spots were secure. That matters after Legette slipped to 35 catches for 363 yards and three touchdowns last season. His own summer was encouraging, too. Dave Canales praised the work Legette put into the details of his game, and the former first-round pick was having a strong camp before a foot issue cost him some time late in August. He returned to practice on Sept. 1. McMillan and Coker remain ahead of him in the target pecking order, so the fantasy ceiling is still limited. The WR3 path, though, looks much cleaner than it did entering camp.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 5, 2026, 11:41 AM ET

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan could see more usage out of the slot in 2026, speculates ESPN's Mike Kaye. McMillan was used almost exclusively as an outside receiver as a rookie in 2025 and had plenty of success, recording 70 catches for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns on 122 targets across 17 games. However, Kaye writes that the Panthers have spoken about wanting to use McMillan's size and strength to get him more targets in the middle of the field in his second season. McMillan already projects to be the dominant target-earner in Carolina's offense, as he finished with nearly 60 more targets than any other Panthers pass-catcher in 2025. If he does indeed see more slot usage and an even larger target share in 2026, McMillan could emerge as a fantasy WR1.--Will Brady
Source: ESPN - Mike Kaye

Sep 2, 2026, 7:19 PM ET

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ja'Seem Reed did not make the team's initial 53-man roster heading into their Week 1 clash against the Chicago Bears, but the Panthers re-signed him to their practice squad after he had a strong training camp this summer. The Panthers' WR1, Tetairoa McMillan, singled Reed out as the offensive player that he has seen make the most strides over the last year, according to Gabe McDonald. "That kid's got a lot of talent," McMillan said. The 23-year-old former undrafted free agent spent all of the 2025 campaign on the Panthers' practice squad and never appeared in a game. To begin 2026, he has McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, John Metchie III, Brycen Tremayne, and Jimmy Horn Jr. ahead of him in the WR room, but Reed could be a name to keep an eye on in dynasty/keeper leagues as a bench stash for his potential long-term upside in Carolina.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Gabe McDonald

Sep 2, 2026, 3:24 PM ET

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan could see more time in the slot this season, according to Sheena Quick. Head coach Dave Canales has talked about moving McMillan around more heading into Year 2, and the Panthers used him inside at times during his rookie season as well. McMillan doesn't need much help getting involved after starting all 17 games and catching 70 passes for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns last year. He went on to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Giving him more snaps from the slot would add another wrinkle to a passing game already built heavily around him and could create some different matchups for Bryce Young to attack. McMillan will still see plenty of work outside, but Carolina appears interested in making his alignment less predictable this season.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Sheena Quick

Aug 31, 2026, 12:17 PM ET

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker was a sleeper receiver for a breakout in 2025, but he managed to play in only 11 games for the second straight season due to injuries, finishing with 33 receptions for 394 yards and three touchdowns on 43 targets in his second year in the NFL. The 24-year-old former undrafted free agent from Holy Cross is once again set up for a potential breakout season in 2026 if he can finally play a full year in his third NFL campaign. The Panthers cut receivers David Moore and Ja'Seem Reed on roster cutdown day on Sunday, giving Coker even less competition for targets. He is Carolina's clear WR2 behind Tetairoa McMillan and could be an excellent late-round value pick in upcoming fantasy football drafts. Coker is currently ranked as the WR51 at RotoBaller. In the final eight regular-season games last year, Coker caught 29 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns before catching nine passes for 134 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets in the wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Do not forget about Coker as you build your WR depth.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Pro Football Reference

Aug 29, 2026, 10:36 AM ET

An undrafted free agent in 2025, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ja'Seem Reed spent his rookie year on the practice squad, but after a solid training camp and another productive preseason outing, he has made a strong push for a spot on the team's initial 53-man roster. With the Panthers giving Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, and Xavier Legette the night off, the top of the depth chart appears settled, but an early training camp injury to third-round rookie Chris Brazzell II has left Reed among a handful of players battling to round out the room. Three or potentially four roster spots will come down to Reed, John Metchie III, David Moore, Jimmy Horn Jr., and Brycen Tremayne, and by leading all Panthers pass-catchers with 37 yards in Friday's preseason win over the Texans, Reed continues to strengthen his case, now totaling 11 catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns through three preseason appearances. While there is likely little fantasy value to be found near the bottom of the Panthers' roster in a run-heavy offense, if Reed can make the team, he could eventually find himself an injury or two away from DFS relevance.--Patrick McGrath
Source: ESPN

Aug 29, 2026, 12:15 AM ET

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan currently has an ADP of 40 in fantasy football redraft leagues. That corresponds to the middle of the fourth round, and it makes him the 18th receiver to come off the board. He's being drafted just a couple of spots later than Tee Higgins, in line with Garrett Wilson, and a few picks before Emeka Egbuka, Jaylen Waddle, Terry McLaurin, and Davante Adams. That's a reasonable price tag for McMillan, who caught 70 passes for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie last year. He finished his first NFL season as the WR16 in PPR leagues, forming a strong rapport with quarterback Bryce Young in a Panthers offense that is trending upward. Fortunately, McMillan remains the undisputed No. 1 receiver in Carolina, and the team didn't bring in any major pass catchers who would steal targets from him. Assuming he stays healthy for a full 17-game stretch this year, he should have no trouble replicating (or even improving upon) the stats from his rookie season last year.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Aug 26, 2026, 12:30 PM ET

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ja'Seem Reed is getting plenty of run with the first-team offense with Xavier Legette (ankle) sidelined at training camp, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. The Panthers already lost rookie Chris Brazzell II (knee) for the entire season, which has opened up an opportunity for Reed, David Moore, Jimmy Horn Jr., and Brycen Tremayne to compete with Legette for the WR3 gig behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker heading into the start of the 2026 season. Reed, who stands at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, is a former undrafted free agent out of the University of San Diego who has yet to play in an NFL game. The 23-year-old spent the entire 2025 campaign on the Panthers' practice squad. It is notable that he is getting some run with the first-team offense in camp, but Reed should be viewed as a long shot for any kind of fantasy relevance in 2026, with Legette's injury not deemed very serious.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye

Aug 25, 2026, 12:30 AM ET

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker has been relatively quiet this preseason, but he's still a very intriguing player to target in 2026 fantasy football drafts. Coker solidified himself as the Panthers' No. 2 receiver and one of Bryce Young's favorite targets late last season, catching six passes for 47 yards and one touchdown in Week 18 before adding another nine catches, 134 yards, and one touchdown in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. The 24-year-old is officially ahead of Xavier Legette and behind Tetairoa McMillan in the pecking order, and as the Panthers' No. 2 receiver, he's a solid draft target in most fantasy leagues. Depending on how the Panthers' offense looks this year, he could even warrant weekly consideration for a flex spot in deeper leagues. There's certainly a lot to like about a Panthers receiver room that features Coker opposite McMillan.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Aug 24, 2026, 3:03 PM ET

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Monday that wide receiver Xavier Legette (ankle) will remain in a walking boot until Thursday, according to Steve Reed of The Associated Press. Legette suffered an ankle injury in last Wednesday's joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars and will most likely sit out the preseason finale this Friday against the Houston Texans. It is bad news as the 25-year-old looks to solidify the WR3 role in Carolina behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, but there is not any reason to believe that he will not be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September. The 25-year-old former first-rounder in 2024 from South Carolina has disappointed in his first two years in the NFL, catching 84 of his 148 targets for 860 yards and seven touchdowns in 31 games (25 starts). Legette regressed in 2025 with a 35-363-3 line after the team took McMillan in the first round of last year's draft. He should still have a role in the Panthers' offense in 2026 if he is healthy, but the volume is unlikely to be enough to make him rosterable in 12-team fantasy leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Associated Press - Steve Reed

Aug 22, 2026, 7:03 AM ET

Carolina Panthers wide receiver John Metchie III caught six of seven targets for 77 yards in Friday's 34-17 preseason loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Metchie showed a strong rapport with backup quarterback Kenny Pickett and led the Panthers in targets, catches, and receiving yards. Xavier Legette (ankle) had his ankle "rolled up on" during Wednesday's practice and did not play Friday, opening an opportunity for Metchie. Legette is also dealing with foot soreness and is day-to-day, according to Panthers head coach Dave Canales. Metchie made the most of Legette's absence with a strong showing. However, he did not get any work with the first-team offense and didn't log his first catch until the second half. Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker are the unquestioned starters and top wideouts for the Panthers. With third-round rookie Chris Brazzell (knee) out for the season, Metchie is battling Legette, Jimmy Horn Jr., and David Moore for Carolina's WR3 gig. If Metchie can win Carolina's WR3 role, he becomes a late-round flier in deep leagues and remains a dynasty stash for now.--Brad Camara - RotoBaller
Source: Pro Football Focus

Aug 21, 2026, 11:24 PM ET

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (ankle) twisted his ankle during Wednesday's practice and did not play in Friday's preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Head coach Dave Canales said Legette didn't finish practice after getting his ankle "rolled up on." According to Canales, Legette is also experiencing foot soreness and is listed as day-to-day. The former 32nd overall pick is expected to handle the WR3 workload in Carolina, behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, who will rotate ahead of him. If Legette misses time with this ankle injury, wide receivers John Metchie and Jimmy Horn Jr. would take on a larger workload in his place. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should keep an eye on this, since all the Panthers' receivers could be affected if he is out.--Nathan Harvey
Source: Carolina Blitz

Aug 21, 2026, 9:36 AM ET

The Carolina Panthers recently participated in a joint practice with the Jaguars ahead of Friday night's preseason matchup. While the session got off to a slow start for the Panthers' offense, things quickly settled into place once quarterback Bryce Young started looking in the direction of wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. "Bryce just started finding TMac in different ways," head coach Dave Canales told reporters after practice. "Explosive passes, touchdowns, things that went into the end zone. It was fantastic to see." Young connected with the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year on a number of plays throughout practice, including a leaping catch in the corner of the end zone that beat double coverage. Afterward, Young spoke about McMillan's importance to the team. "It makes my job so much easier, having a guy like him out there that you can trust one-on-one," he shared. "Obviously he's a huge part of what we do." Following a WR15 finish as a rookie, McMillan is being drafted as the WR17 but has a chance to crack the top 12 as a focal point of the Panthers' offense.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Alex Zietlow - The Charlotte Observer