Cat Scratch Reader
We’re 17 Days away from the Carolina Panthers 2025 regular season opener! That means we’re breaking down #17 on the roster: wide receiver Xavier Legette!
Xavier Legette joined the Panthers as a first round pick out of South Carolina in 2024, one the Panthers traded up to acquire since they didn’t have, you know, a first round pick. Still, Legette was someone heavily linked to the Panthers all throughout the off-season, so the team chose to move up from the 33rd overall pick to get him with the last pick of the first round, locking in the ever advantageous first round pick 5th year option on his contract. They gave up a 5th round pick and acquired a 6th round pick with the Bills to make the exchange happen. Legette posted 49 receptions, 497 yards, and 4 TDs in 16 total games played, though injuries and drops caused him to lose momentum after a pretty decent early start for the first round pick.
Legette enters 2025 as a projected starter for the Panthers alongside 8th overall selection Tetairoa McMillan and veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen, though 2024 UDFA Jalen Coker pushed in in 2024 and looks to push again for more playing time in 2025. Build on with that the selection of WR Jimmy Horn Jr and signing veteran Hunter Renfrow this off-season, and you’re looking at a situation where Legette could lose out on some playing time if his struggles with drops (and getting thrown out of preseason games) continues. The team has been very positive and high on his Offseason, and he’s been trotted out with the starters in the last two preseason games, so I too am optimistic on his role in the offense. He brings a certain athleticism and speed that can be very effective in the NFL. However, the Panthers wide receiver room is no longer lacking talent as they were in 2024, so hopefully his work with the coaches and the jugs machine in 2025 pays dividends and we see him elevate on the flashes we saw in 2024.
What are your thoughts on Legette’s 2025 season? Sound off below in the comments!
