The Carolina Panthers have effectively supported Bryce Young in free agency, investing heavily in guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, and adding talented wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the roster.
Despite these moves, there is still more to be done, with many expecting the team to target a wide receiver with one of their second-round picks in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. Recently, the Panthers On Tap account tweeted a list of potential draft targets, including Adonai Mitchell, Keon Coleman, Xavier Legette, and Ladd McConkey.
While Diontae Johnson adds depth, the Panthers could benefit from adding another young wide receiver to their roster. With Adam Thielen nearing the end of his career and Johnson on a one-year contract, there is a clear need for youthful talent.
The 2024 draft class is reportedly rich in wide receiver talent, making it an opportune time for the Panthers to address this need. Despite the various options available, Bryce Young’s father is advocating for South Carolina’s Xavier Legette to be the Panthers’ choice.
Before discussing how Xavier Legette would fit with the Panthers, it’s important to understand his prospects as a player. Standing at 6’1″ and 221 pounds, the South Carolina product possesses the size and build to play a physical style of football as an outside receiver. Despite being larger than some tight ends, Legette knows how to utilize his size effectively to secure contested passes. Essentially, if the ball is thrown in his vicinity, he’s likely to come down with it.
Typically, larger players like Legette struggle with lateral movement, but he moves well for his size. While he may not have the agility of players like Marvin Harrison Jr., the big-bodied receiver moves well enough to make plays at all levels of the field. Furthermore, when he builds momentum, he becomes challenging for cornerbacks to bring down.
Like all prospects, Legette has some red flags that the Panthers will need to consider. For instance, 2023 was the first season in which he saw more than 30 targets, which is not an ideal trend for a prospect.
Additionally, he lacks polish as a route runner and predominantly relies on his size to win downfield. While this approach may be effective against smaller and weaker college cornerbacks, history suggests that it may not translate well to the professional level.
How He Fits With the Panthers
If Legette’s profile sounds familiar, it’s because it closely resembles Jonathan Mingo’s draft profile. In my assessment, I believed Mingo had significant untapped athletic potential but relied too heavily on his physical attributes in college. He lacked refinement as a player, and his struggle to separate from defenders was a major concern. Despite my 4th-5th round grade, the Panthers selected him in the second round.
While Legette is a better prospect than Mingo, they share similar strengths and weaknesses. If the Panthers choose Legette, it’s unlikely that both players with such similar skill sets would be on the field simultaneously. Selecting Legette would likely indicate that the coaching staff has given up on Mingo. However, if head coach Dave Canales believes Mingo can still develop, they may opt for someone like Ladd McConkey instead.
