A disappointing start to the 2026 season could land Carolina Panthers WR Xavier Legette on the trading block by October.
The Carolina Panthers have drafted a WR two years in a row since taking Xavier Legette with the last pick of the first round in 2024.
In 2025, Carolina took Tetairoa McMillan. In this year's draft, the Panthers selected Chris Brazzell.
Joseph Person, who covers the Panthers for The Athletic, believes a disappointing start to the 2026 season could land Legette on the trading block by October.
"The Panthers have drafted two first- or second-day wide receivers since taking Xavier Legette with the last pick of the first round in 2024," Person wrote. "Tetairoa McMillan became the Panthers' top wideout the minute he arrived as a top-10 pick, then proceeded to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. Jalen Coker, an undrafted free agent from Holy Cross, then passed Legette last season as WR2. Now it's fair to question whether Legette can hold on to the WR3 spot after Dan Morgan selected Tennessee wideout Chris Brazzell in the third round and took a flier on John Metchie, who had a 1,100-yard receiving season with Bryce Young at Alabama in 2021 but has yet to find his footing in the NFL. The eternally optimistic Dave Canales still seems bullish on Legette figuring things out, but a disappointing start to the season could land him on the trading block by October."
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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