Carolina Panthers WR Xavier Legette knows he has to play well next season.
Carolina Panthers WR Xavier Legette didn't play up to his standards last season. He had just 35 receptions and three TDs.
Legette knows he has to play well next season, which is why he dropped weight and followed an offseason plan to "bulletproof" his hamstrings, according to Joseph Person of The Athletic.
“My main thing is just to have a better year than my first two years,” Legette said Thursday. “I can’t have another year like I did last year. I can’t do that.”
The Panthers have drafted a WR two years in a row since taking Legette with the last pick of the first round in 2024, making the WR room crowded.
In 2025, Carolina took Tetairoa McMillan, and in this year's draft, the Panthers selected Chris Brazzell.
Legette is doing everything he can to ensure he has a productive 2026 campaign. The prevailing thought in league circles is that the Panthers could trade Legette if he gets off to a slow start next season.
“Just doing the little things that I’ve gotta clean up,” Legette said. “Just the mishaps that were happening last year, I can’t let that happen.”
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.
At the team's urging, Legette is leaner this year. He said he went through organized team activities and minicamp at 221 pounds after playing last season at 228-230.
“I feel fast. But I also felt good and I felt fast at the weight I was at,” Legette said. “But that’s where they wanted me to get, and I don’t have no problem with it. I’m willing to do anything.”
Even though the Panthers won the NFC South title last season, they finished with a sub-.500 record and needed help in Week 18 to win the division. For Carolina to make the playoffs again next season, Legette and Bryce Young have to get on the same page.
“Me and Bryce, we ain’t never had a problem. But there’s always room to grow,” Legette said. “Hopefully, we can play with each other for a long time.”
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