Carolina Panthers WR Xavier Legette is in jeopardy of a major role reduction next season.
Carolina Panthers WR Xavier Legette has been named a loser following the 2026 NFL Draft.
Joseph Person of The Athletic believes Legette was one of the biggest "losers" on the Panthers after the team drafted WR Chris Brazzell.
"With the arrival of Brazzell, Legette lands in the 'losers' category for the second year in a row," Person wrote. "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.
"The difference now is there's another intriguing option at receiver, although Brazzell is not without his warts. He ran a limited route tree at Tennessee, where nearly 50 percent of his routes last season were either a hitch or a go. But Brazzell's big-play ability — he came down with 13 of his 23 targets of 20-plus yards in 2025 — should light a fire under Legette. Or not."
Legette appeared in 15 games for the Panthers last season. He finished with 35 receptions for 363 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
The Panthers selected Legette with the 32nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The WR had 49 catches during his rookie season, totaling 497 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.
It will be fascinating to see how Legette performs next season. He's certainty under pressure to play well.
It's worth mentioning that in March, Panthers head coach Dave Canales revealed details about Legette's offseason training and stated that the WR was going hard.
"Just working his butt off," Canales said. "He’s around the facility. While we can’t talk about football stuff and do meetings, he’s there. He’s grinding, he’s working. He understands what an opportunity he has. And he understands why we brought him here, to be that big, dynamic playmaker that we know he can be."
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