Andrew Buller-Russ
In the months leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, many analysts thought there was a chance that the Carolina Panthers might draft a wide receiver in the first round for the third year in a row. Heck, even Panthers general manager Dan Morgan admitted that the team was open to picking a pass-catcher first.
Ultimately, the Panthers did not select a receiver at No. 19, opting to pick Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling instead. However, the Panthers did circle back to the receiver position with their third pick, plucking Tennessee speedster Chris Brazzell with the 83rd overall selection in the third round. Brazzell is expected to receive playing time as a rookie, which could lead to the departure of another recent top pick in Carolina.
Recently, The Athletic‘s Joseph Person suggested that Xavier Legette could emerge as a “potential trade candidate” this fall.
“It was easy to see the Panthers’ selection of Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth pick last year as an indictment of Legette, who has struggled with drops, field awareness and general inconsistency. While McMillan was on his way to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, Jalen Coker was supplanting Legette as WR2. Legette’s status hasn’t changed that much with the addition of Brazzell. If he can clean up some of the things that have slowed his development, he’ll be in the WR rotation. If not, he won’t — and becomes a potential trade candidate.”
Joseph Person on Xavier Legette
The Panthers made Legette the 32nd overall pick of the first round in the 2024 NFL Draft. He started 13 of his 16 appearances as a rookie, recording 49 receptions on 84 targets for 497 yards and four touchdowns. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to build upon those numbers in Year 2. Legette started 12 of his 15 appearances, recording 35 receptions on 64 targets for 363 yards and three touchdowns.
Now headed into the third season of a four-year contract that could stretch to a fifth season with a team option, Legette is running the risk of falling behind on the depth chart in Carolina. Tet McMillan is the top dog. Last year’s undrafted signee, Jalen Coker, recorded more yards despite playing four fewer games and seeing 21 fewer targets. Plus, now the Panthers have added Brazzell as well.
In other words, the Panthers are likely open to dealing Legette, who’s still just 25 years old. He should be able to fetch a Day 3 draft pick, but are the Panthers willing to give up on him for such a low return? If Legette doesn’t show growth in the team’s minicamp, he could very well be as good as gone.
Related: 2026 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating Worst, Best Teams After NFL Draft
