2 up-and-coming Panthers named top fantasy sleepers for 2026 season
· Yahoo Sports
The average NFL fan is probably not going out of their way to watch the Carolina Panthers, who haven't been a true contender for nine years now. But things are looking up for the reigning NFC South champions, and they have several young up-and-comers who could attract some eyeballs in 2026.
ESPN.com pushed out a site-wide project on Monday that features 100 predictions for the upcoming campaign. Two of the 100 forecasts see a pair of Panthers as fantasy football sleepers, starting with running back Jonathon Brooks.
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Eric Moody writes:
Brooks has intriguing upside if he can finally stay on the field. Carolina let Rico Dowdle walk and didn't draft an RB, leaving Brooks with a path to touches behind Chuba Hubbard. Hubbard is the safer option, but Brooks has the higher ceiling if his college explosiveness returns. He's a young, versatile late-round flier with lead-back upside.
A fully healthy Brooks is probably the best rusher on the team now that Dowdle is suiting up for the Pittsburgh Steelers. His size and athleticism certainly give him a higher ceiling than anyone else on the depth chart at this spot.
The question, of course, is exactly how healthy Brooks is after suffering his second ACL tear. Fantasy owners will probably want to take a wait-and-see approach with Brooks, who may go undrafted in most leagues.
Moody also sees wideout Jalen Coker making a difference in his third NFL season:
Coker is in position for a larger role after the Panthers didn't add a notable receiver this offseason. From Week 8 through the playoffs, he played 73% of the snaps and handled a 17.8% target share. Coker also flashed his upside in the wild-card round, finishing with nine receptions, 134 receiving yards and one touchdown. Don't overlook him in the double-digit rounds.
Coker may have to worry about the size of 2026 third-round pick Chris Brazzell II and the speed of free-agent signee John Metchie III. However, he does have an advantage in that he has more experience with quarterback Bryce Young, and appears to have a better connection with him than any other receiver on the roster.
2024 first-rounder Xavier Legette, although disappointing thus far, could also factor in.
Nonetheless, Coker might project as a solid WR3 in the fantasy realm.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers' Jonathon Brooks, Jalen Coker named fantasy sleepers for 2026