Xavier Legette

Panthers Acquire No. 32, Select WR Xavier Legette

April 25th, 2024 at 10:52pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bills are trading down once again. Buffalo is sending picks No. 32 and No. 200 to the Panthers for No. 33 and No. 141. The Panthers have traded up one pick to select South Carolina WR Xavier Legette. Although Carolina famously traded what became the No. 1 overall pick to Chicago in last year’s Bryce Young swap, the rebuilding team ended up making a pick tonight after all.

This comes after some pre-draft connections between Carolina and the regional product. Legette, who had risen up draft boards this offseason, will join a Panthers team retooling on offense yet again.

While new HC Dave Canales attempted to downplay the team’s interest in Legette, the South Carolina alum said he met with the Charlotte-based NFL team four or five times during the draft run-up. Legette will follow trade pickup Diontae Johnson to the Panthers, who still roster Adam Thielen and 2023 second-rounder Jonathan Mingo.

Legette blazed to a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, doing so at 221 pounds, and notched a 40-inch vertical jump. He is coming off a career that included four unremarkable seasons and a fifth-year breakthrough. Legette only delivered one remotely productive season in five years with the Gamecocks — a 1,255-yard 2023 that came after four sub-200-yard campaigns — but late during the pre-draft process, the big-bodied target was being viewed as a first-rounder. Although they moved up just one spot, the Panthers became the team to make that prediction accurate.

Last year, the Panthers entered the season with a shaky skill-position corps. The team did not do enough to surround Young with a quality cast, with the group becoming dependent on a 33-year-old Thielen. Two seasons remain on Thielen’s three-year, $25MM deal; the longtime Viking is due a $6.5MM salary guarantee this year. What could be Thielen’s Panthers finale could include a mentorship experience, with Legette joining Mingo as recent SEC standouts who will attempt to provide Young at least auxiliary options around the team’s two veteran targets.

The Bills exited Day 1 of the draft having made two moves down the board, sliding out of No. 28 and then No. 32. The four-time reigning AFC East champions will enter Day 2 with a gaping hole at wide receiver. It should be expected the AFC power will take steps to address that area Friday night.

Draft Notes: Cowboys, Rams, Fautanu, Legette, Texans, Colts

April 24th, 2024 at 10:32pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Cowboys currently own pick No. 24, but like many other teams late in the first-round order they could be enticed to move down the board. When speaking about the team’s Day 1 approach, owner Jerry Jones noted the appeal of adding extra draft capital, stating it is “very likely” they could have a trade-down opportunity.

“I’m not trying to be cute there,” Jones added, offering a counter to his previous point (via The Athletic’s Saad Yousef). “Obviously we’d like to have some mid-round picks. But by the same token, Micah Parsons might be sitting there with that pick. Now, do you want to go for some more picks or do you want to snag him?”

A number of intriguing options could still be on the board for Dallas if the team remains in place. Offensive line is a known area of interest, and Graham Barton is believed to be on the Cowboys’ radar. Replacements for Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz are needed, and Yousef adds that – all things being equal – Dallas’ preference would be to acquire a left tackle over a center in round one. That direction would allow Tyler Smith to remain at guard.

With the draft’s opening night less than 24 hours away, here are some more notes from around the NFL:

The Colts are among the teams set to to pick in the teens which could be interested in a move up the board. That is also the case for the Rams, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano. 2024 marks the first year in which Los Angeles owns a Day 1 selection since 2016, but with 11 total picks the team could easily move up from the No. 19 slot. Adding a successor for Matthew Stafford under center has been floated as a first-round possibility, and Bo Nix could be a target in that instance. However, Dianna Russini of The Athletic sees such a move as unlikely (subscription required). Finding a D-line contributor to help fill the void left by Aaron Donald could be a more pressing need for the Rams.
Troy Fautanu is one of many offensive linemen slated to be selected in the first round, but an injury concern could hurt his stock. The Washington tackle had a knee injury flagged during the pre-draft process, as noted by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. The issue is seen as one which should not cause trouble in the short term but could ultimately “[impact] his longevity” at the NFL level. Fautanu may be viewed as a tackle (rather than a guard) in the pros, and he is believed to be a target of the Jets at the No. 10 pick. It will be interesting to see if his knee causes a drop down the Day 1 order.
Wideout Xavier Legette recently went public with the fact the Panthers have shown an interest in drafting him 33rd overall. In response, first-year head coach Dave Canales replied he has made the same remark to “50 other guys” (h/t team reporter Darin Grant). Carolina is obviously not considering that many prospects with the team’s top selection, but Canales’ comment proves the approach is certainly not Legette-or-bust. The former Gamecock had a breakout campaign in 2023, and his size and physicality makes him one of the more intriguing prospects in a celebrated receiver class. Legette could be a first-round candidate, and the WR-needy Bills are among the teams which hosted him for a private workout.
Nick Caserio has a reputation for executing trades both early and late in the draft, pulling off 18 total moves during his three years at the helm of the Texans. That total includes eight trades in 2023, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter writes Caserio is “likely” to continue being active on the trade front this weekend. Of course, Houston has already been a major player in terms of pick swaps, dealing the 23rd choice to the Vikings last month. As things stand, the Texans own nine 2024 selections.
Colts owner Jim Irsay is recovering from surgery which addressed back and leg issues, and his mobility is presently limited as a result. That will keep him from being in the team’s draft room, as he explained to ESPN’s Stephen Holder. Irsay will still be connected virtually to the team’s decision-makers, though, meaning Indianapolis’ draft process will carry on as usual as he continues to recover.

AFC Draft Rumors: Dolphins, Worthy, Jets, OL, Bills, Legette, Chiefs

April 24th, 2024 at 3:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

In on multiple wide receivers and discussing terms with Odell Beckham Jr, the Dolphins are operating like a team that does not employ one of this NFL period’s better receiving tandems. Despite the Tyreek Hill–Jaylen Waddle duo, Miami is still being tied to a WR move in the draft. Teams view the Dolphins as being interested in Texas’ Xavier Worthy, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes. This would verge on overkill, as Hill is one of the fastest players in NFL history and Waddle can hold his own with most active NFLers. Worthy just set the Combine 40-yard dash record (4.21 seconds), and ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler indicates he is coming up most frequently as this draft’s WR4 — behind the Marvin Harrison Jr.–Malik Nabers–Rome Odunze trio expected to go off the board at No. 10 or soon after. A number of teams — including the Cardinals, Bears, Colts and Bills — met with Worthy. The Dolphins, who also employ De’Von Achane (he of a 10.1-second college 100-meter dash), hold the No. 21 overall pick.

Here is the latest on the draft from around the AFC:

Some teams are viewing BYU’s Kingsley Suamatia as a late first-round option at tackle, Yahoo.com’s Charles Robinson notes. In one of the best tackle classes in many years, Suamatia could be an option for a contending team in need. The Chiefs would qualify, and NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero confirms the BYU product visited Kansas City during the pre-draft process. The Chiefs have not re-signed left tackle Donovan Smith, whom they signed after last year’s draft. Barring another post-draft pickup, the Chiefs could use help here.
On the subject of tackles, the New York Post’s Brian Costello does not view an O-line investment as one of the most likely scenarios for the Jets at No. 10. Viewing Brock Bowers, Odunze or trading down as more likely options for the Jets, Costello does not see the team addressing a need for a long-term tackle — as free agency pickups Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses are each going into age-33 seasons — stopping a regime under tremendous pressure to win now from adding another skill-position piece. The Jets are being viewed as Bowers’ floor. A trade-down move has come up, but with the heat cranked up on Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh, it is understandable they would want to leave the No. 10 slot with a potential 2024 difference-maker.
The Bills brought in South Carolina’s Xavier Legette for a workout, Pelissero adds. Legette blazed to a 4.39-second 40, at 221 pounds, and notched a 40-inch vertical jump. Legette only delivered one remotely productive season in five years with the Gamecocks — a 1,255-yard 2023 that came after four sub-200-yard campaigns — but is being viewed as a possible late first-rounder, the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy adds. Teams are also high on Legette’s run-blocking ability. The Panthers are believed to be interested, though the Bills will be expected to add a wideout early, having lost Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis this offseason.

WR Xavier Legette Panthers’ Top Target At No. 33?

April 22nd, 2024 at 12:05pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Panthers’ blockbuster acquisition of the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft left their 2024 first-rounder in the hands of the Bears. That means Carolina will not be on the clock until the opening selection of the second round this year, but a primary target for that pick appears to be in place.

Among other roster holes, the Panthers could stand to add at the receiver position. To little surprise, Georgia’s Ladd McConkey is among the prospects which have been connected to Carolina at the No. 33 slot. Another, local prospect at the WR spot could be in play to begin Day 2, though. South Carolina’s Xavier Legette spoke about a potential Panthers selection, making it clear there is a strong interest from the team.

“I’ve met with the Panthers about four or five times,” Legette told John Crumpler of Texans Wire (video link). “The relationship, it just keeps continuing to grow. They’re really hoping I can make it the second round. They keep on telling me if I’m sitting at 33, they’re gonna take me.”

Legette spent his entire five-year college career with the Gamecocks, but it was only in 2023 that he served as a full-time starter. He became the team’s focal point in the passing game, recording 71 catches for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns. Known to be a strong presence after the catch, the 6-1, 221-pounder averaged 17.7 yards per reception last year.

Those totals earned Legette second-team All-SEC honors and confirmed his status as one of the more intriguing options in a 2024 class loaded in receiver talent. He also has return value, and his special teams experience could help him earn a role right away on the Panthers or any other team he joins. Carolina saw Laviska Shenault depart in free agency, and DJ Chark remains unsigned.

The Panthers have not made a veteran signing at the receiver spot so far, but the team did add a starter by trading for Diontae Johnson. The former Steeler will be joined by the likes of Adam Thielen and Jonathan Mingo in the receiving corps, a unit which has plenty of room for improvement working with quarterback Bryce Young in 2024.

Carolina has, of course, hosted several non-WR prospects on ‘top 30’ visits recently. That includes offensive lineman Jordan Morgan and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, both of whom could still be on the board when the first round concludes. The Panthers’ first draft action under new general manager Dan Morgan is set to take place at the opening of Day 2, and despite the team’s pre-draft evaluations Legette’s comments certainly put him in pole position to be Carolina’s selection.