The Carolina Panthers have gotten through Week 1 and Week 2. The team’s two performances couldn’t possible have been more different, and the hope is that Week 2 is closer to the truth.
The Panthers destroyed the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. It’s nice to get a conference win under their belts, and the team saw several encouraging performances in the process.
Two games is still a small sample size, but we’re starting to see some trends. Let’s talk about the three most surprising players through two games.
RB Jonathon Brooks
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Earlier this summer, it looked like Jonathon Brooks was going to be a breakout player in 2026. The running back earned first-team reps and looked explosive in camp.
Then, Brooks didn’t do much in the preseason, or in Week 1 against the Bears. Brooks had a big catch in that game, but Chuba Hubbard was clearly RB1. That trend continued in Week 2, as Brooks only received five carries.
Brooks was getting breakout player hype, and it’s still early, but it doesn’t seem like that’s going to be happening.
WR Jalen Coker
Brooks has been surprising in a bad way, so let’s pivot to a player who’s been surprising in a positive way. Jalen Coker has been the Panthers’ WR1 through two weeks and he’s already had the best game of his career.
Through two weeks, Coker has 16 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns, leading the team in each category. Coker had been earning praise and a leap was expected, but nobody expected the receiver to be more productive than Tetairoa McMillan.
McMillan is still WR1, but Coker could definitely be the 1B to McMillan’s 1A.
DL Lee Hunter
Unfortunately, we have to end on another negative note. Lee Hunter was just added in the second round in 2026, and he was expected to be a solid contributor right away. The Panthers don’t have great depth on the line, so Hunter is needed.
So far, the rookie has been surprisingly bad. Pro Football Focus gives Hunter a 45.1 grade through two weeks, which ranks 89th out of 107 qualified linemen. His run defense grade is even worse, sitting at 37.5. This is not the start anybody was expecting or hoping for out of
