Jalen Coker Has Set Carolina Panthers Receiving Record
The undrafted wide receiver recorded eight catches in each of the first two games of the 2026 NFL season.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Football
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Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker has made franchise history by recording eight receptions in each of his first two games this season. The 24-year-old receiver has totaled 16 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns through the first two weeks.
Why it matters
Coker has emerged as a key target for quarterback Bryce Young while joining an elite group of NFL players who have posted similar statistical dominance early in their careers. His performance marks a breakout for the undrafted player who previously set records at Holy Cross.
Coker has accumulated 16 receptions on 18 targets for 204 yards and two touchdowns in two games. The 6-foot-3 receiver holds college records of 2,715 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns.
The players
Jalen Coker
He is a 24-year-old undrafted wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers who previously played college football at Holy Cross.
Bryce Young
He is the starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers who has been delivering passes to Jalen Coker.
The details
Coker recorded eight receptions on nine targets in each of his first two games with quarterback Bryce Young. This performance makes him only the third undrafted player since 1967 to total at least 15 catches, 200 yards, and two touchdowns in the first two weeks of a season.
Timeline
2001: Rod Smith achieved the same early-season statistical feat.
2011: Wes Welker achieved the same early-season statistical feat.
September 2026: Jalen Coker recorded 16 catches in the first two weeks.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026: The Panthers announced Coker's franchise record.
Season Trajectory
Coker's historic start significantly alters the Carolina Panthers' offensive outlook and potentially elevates the team's standing within the division. His rapid emergence as a primary receiving option provides an unexpected boost to the team's depth chart.
Fantasy football managers should note Coker's high target share of nine balls per game in the Panthers' offense. This consistent production makes him a primary focus for opponents in upcoming defensive schemes.
The takeaway
Coker has proven that undrafted players can achieve immediate high-level success in the NFL with the right opportunity. Consistent target volume from a starting quarterback remains the most reliable indicator of sustained fantasy and real-world receiving success.
Further reading
For more on the latest team developments, visit the Football section.
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