Xavier Legette's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Xavier Legette, who was taken 32nd overall in this year's NFL draft last month, has had trouble connecting with the team's rookie quarterbacks so far in rookie minicamp practices. Legette has always had the size-speed combination -- his 4.39-second 40-yard dash tied for the sixth-fastest among wideouts at this year's scouting combine -- but he kept hearing that he had to improve as a route-runner as he took part in Senior Bowl practices and the combine. At 6-foot-1, 221 pounds, some questioned Legette's ability to drop his hips and quickly get out of his breaks. Legette has been compared physically to DK Metcalf, who Panthers head coach Dave Canales worked with in Seattle. At the very least, Legette will give second-year QB Bryce Young a speed, big-bodied target deep down the field in 2024, but expecting much more than that might be unwise in 2024.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette, who was taken with the final pick in the first round of this year's NFL draft after the Panthers traded up, has drawn comparisons from scouts to Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf, mainly because of his 6-foot-3, 227-pound frame. "Not quite the athlete Metcalf is but he's got some game-breaking ability like that, and he can do a little more with versatility as a runner and pass-catcher," an NFL personnel evaluator said. Second-year quarterback Bryce Young could certainly use some more playmakers like that after a disastrous rookie season. The 23-year-old Legette is probably going to struggle to produce consistently for fantasy managers in single-year leagues in 2024, especially after Carolina also added wideout Diontae Johnson in free agency this offseason.

The Carolina Panthers traded up with the Buffalo Bills at No. 32 overall to select South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette to close out the first round of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night. The Bills curiously traded down twice from their initial pick of No. 28 to land at No. 33 (first pick of Round 2) despite desperately needing receiver help, and three wideouts came off the board to close out the first round. Legette, 23, is a much-needed offensive weapon for second-year QB Bryce Young and will join Diontae Johnson, Jonathan Mingo and veteran Adam Thielen in their WR room in 2024. Legette isn't the greatest of route-runners and is susceptible to press coverage at the line, but he has excellent ball skills and could be a solid deep and red-zone threat for Young. The landing spot isn't great for Legette's potential for fantasy value in Year 1.