Unsung receivers group needs to step up for the Panthers

DONALD WATKINS | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Carolina Panthers receiver Jalen Coker, an undrafted rookie, has been a surprise on offense with 23 receptions for 381 yards and a pair of scores in his first NFL season. Coker is one of seven Panthers receivers who were undrafted.

In the far corner of the Carolina Panthers practice field Tuesday, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker worked with position coach Rob Moore on a series of moves to escape the aggressive coverage techniques of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Taking turns, the rookie receivers lined up against each other, simulating the hands-on approach of Buccaneers defensive backs Jamel Dean and Antoine Winfield Jr. against the “press man” coverages Carolina coach Dave Canales anticipates Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.   

“[Legette and Coker] were working on different leverages, different set-ups at the top of routes,” said Canales, who spent last season as the Bucs’ offensive coordinator. “I love to see those guys working together, working on their game.”  

With the rebuilding Panthers at 4-11 and fielding the 30th-ranked offense, averaging 295.8 yards per game, there’s obviously a lot to work on. Does Canales have enough to work with?  

Panthers’ seven undrafted receivers  

With Legette (hip) listed as a limited participant on Thursday’s injury report, questions remained if the wide receiver room’s lone first-round draft pick would miss his second straight start. Canales confirmed Friday Legette would dress Sunday.

“He had a great practice (Thursday) and he bounced back today with another solid day,” Canales said after Friday’s rainy practice. “We’re excited to get him back out there.”
Legette ranks second on the team in receptions (41) and yards (439) but has endured a series of drops.  

With Legette sidelined for last week’s 36-30 overtime win against Arizona, quarterback Bryce Young, who accounted for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing), threw to only one drafted target, David Moore, who was the 226th pick in 2017.  

Of the 11 receivers on the Panthers roster, seven were undrafted free agents:  

• Dan Chisena, a fifth-year pro finally getting a chance. He executed a crucial, 23-yard catch versus the Cardinals and plays a key role on special teams. He has two career catches, both this season.

• Jalen Coker, a rising rookie who has 23 receptions for 381 yards and two touchdowns.

• Trenton Irwin, a practice squad player who has 46 career catches, including three for the Cincinnati Bengals this season.

• T.J. Luther, a Gardner-Webb alumnus signed to the practice squad Dec. 3. The second-year pro has yet to play an NFL snap.

• Praise Olatoke, a speedy international prospect who has yet to appear on the 53-man roster.

• Adam Thielen, the gold standard. The 11-year veteran ranks fourth among all undrafted free agent receivers with 8,157 career yards.

• Deven Thompkins, an undersized speedster who has appeared in seven games this season, catching four passes and nearly scoring on a rush last week.

With Diontae Johnson competing with his second organization since being jettisoned at the trade deadline, the Panthers’ receiver corps may lack star power, but not camaraderie.

“We’re all really cool,” Thompkins said. “Each of us, we want to see us do something big, pushing each other every day to be better.” 

‘Adam’s the big dog’  

When asked if the Panthers’ cast of undrafted receivers felt obligated to roll out a red carpet for Legette, the position group’s lone first-round draft pick, when he enters the meeting room, Thompkins grinned and shook his head.

“Nah, we got (Thielen),” Thompkins said with a laugh. “Adam’s the big dog. He gives me a lot of motivation. I told him, already, he’s somebody I want to catch in yardage. I want to surpass him.”  
With two weeks remaining in the season, Young remains confident in his receivers, regardless of draft status.  

“I have all the confidence in the world in the receiver room,” said Young, who recorded the team’s highest Pro Football Focus grade against Arizona at 91.7. “A great group of guys who have produced in big moments. I’m grateful to have a group of receivers that are good people, who want to work and care about the game.

“As a quarterback, it boosts your confidence that the guys are going to work.”

Outside of a one-handed reception in the end zone that was ruled out of bounds last week, Coker was silent with two catches for 8 yards. Canales didn’t have an explanation or display concern.

“Wherever the ball ends up,” Canales said. “It wasn’t by design. Bryce has been doing a good job of throwing to the first open guy in progression. I expect Jalen to make most of his opportunities when they come to him this week.”

Thompkins understands the opportunity before him. At 5-foot-8, 155 pounds, he’s comfortable in an overlooked group.

“For me, personally, I’ve been an underdog my whole life,” Thompkins said. “I live in that role all the time. We need to establish ourselves as a pass-catching unit. There’s great players in that room, although our record is not reflective of that.  

“We have a lot of players who can make things happen. It’s about us coming together and making it happen.”   

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