Every year, we hear of a few prospects who claim an NFL head coach or GM promises to draft them. This year, it’s the Carolina Panthers who seem to have taken this approach, but in their case, the front office is doing something entirely different and unpredictable.
Earlier this week, South Carolina receiver Xavier Legette revealed that Panthers head coach Dave Canales told him Carolina had plans to make Legette their first draft selection.
“I’ve met with the Panthers about four or five times. The relationship, it just keeps continuing to grow. They’re really hoping I can make it the second round. They keep on telling me if I’m sitting at 33, they’re gonna take me.”
Xavier Legette on Carolina Panthers’ NFL Draft interest
On Wednesday, the Panthers head coach confirmed he’s told Legette that Carolina is targeting him with the 33rd overall pick. The only problem? Coach Canales has said the same exact thing to 50 other players.
“Oh yeah, I said that to him, and 50 other guys.”
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales
This is great. Canales knows prospects can’t keep secrets either. So, instead of trying to get cute by telling the team’s top target that he’s their first pick, he’s told the same story to roughly 50 different players. That should be a great smokescreen leading up to draft day.
Yet, it also sucks for all the players who get their hopes up, believing they’ll be selected by Carolina. What happens when the Panthers pick another player? Well, that prospect could get upset, and even create a chip on his shoulder, motivating him to have an excellent performance every time he gets to play the Panthers.
Meanwhile, if a prospect who received a promise from Coach Canales does end up landing with the Panthers, he’ll likely be fully bought into the organization, believing he was the player Carolina wanted all along.
Related: Final 2024 NFL mock draft: Full 3-round 2024 NFL Draft projections with trades
