​It’s been a while since the Carolina Panthers contributed meaningful fantasy football value, but that trend is starting to shift. There are a handful of players on the Panthers’ roster who could prove to be valuable contributors for a winning fantasy squad. Leading the group is second-year wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who exploded onto the scene in 2025 with 70 receptions for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns, setting a franchise rookie record in the process. His impressive rookie year earned him the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award, marking the first time a Panthers player captured the honor since Cam Newton.
Dan Parr of NFL.com places McMillan in the second tier of fantasy wide receivers for 2026, projecting him as the No. 13 option at his position. McMillan exceeded expectations in 2025, and his current ADP could remain lower than his ceiling if the Panthers’ offense continues to fly under the radar, providing a potential upside boost for fantasy managers who bet on him again.
Another name to watch in Carolina’s passing game is wideout Jalen Coker, who recently signed a three-year extension that cements him as the Panthers’ de facto No. 2 receiver. Parr ranks Coker in his fifth tier, at No. 54 overall. The door appears to be open for Coker to seize the WR2 role and run with it. I haven’t forgotten his standout 134-yard playoff performance against the Rams, which adds to his potential appeal. However, a leap from Bryce Young to push Coker into a higher fantasy tier remains uncertain, and I’m not ready to make that prediction just yet.
There’s understandable skepticism about Young’s ability to elevate his play to a consistent, high level. He flashed elite potential in three starts last season, with wins over the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, and Los Angeles Rams. That followed strong showings the year before against the Kansas City Chiefs and three consecutive finishes to end the season against the Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and, notably, the Falcons. If Young can translate those flashes into sustained, week-to-week production, the Panthers could become a very appealing fantasy offense—more than just a curiosity for those chasing value.
For now, fantasy managers will be watching how McMillan’s sophomore season and Coker’s continued development mesh with Young’s progression. If the Panthers’ offense can maintain growth and Young can become more consistently efficient, the team could emerge as a reliable source of fantasy points rather than a case study in undervalued offense. Stay tuned for more Panthers content as we track how these receivers rank and how their roles evolve in 2026.
Follow @ThePanthersWire for ongoing Panthers updates and analysis. This discussion originally appeared on Panthers Wire, outlining where Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker belong in fantasy rankings and how their roles could impact fantasy outcomes.