The Carolina Panthers’ youngsters still have quite a bit of progress to make.
NFL.com deputy editor Gennaro Filice recently handed out grades for each rookie class from the 2024 campaign. Carolina’s crop, which ranks 27th on the list, received a ‘C.’
That mark comes mostly as a result of a few road bumps, including the ball security issues of first-round wideout Xavier Legette and the devastating ACL tear to second-round running back Jonathon Brooks.
But there’s at least one clear bright spot on offense.
Filice writes:
Frankly, though, Carolina’s best gift to Young didn’t even come from the draft. Undrafted free-agent signee Jalen Coker proved to be quite a find as a reliable, big-bodied target with route polish.
Coker finished with 32 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns, and a team-leading 14.9 yards per reception.
And as for the other side of the ball . . .
Defensively, Trevin Wallace was pressed into service by Shaq Thompson’s season-ending injury in late September, and the rookie linebacker performed pretty admirably, especially as a coverage player, before hitting injured reserve himself with a shoulder issue. Chau Smith-Wade eventually took over as the team’s starting nickel, but he also finished the season on IR. Like Coker on offense, Demani Richardson was found money on defense, starting five games after going undrafted
Richardson, another undrafted signee, made five starts over his 14 appearances—recording 51 combined tackles and an interception.