Xavier Legette: Everything you need to know

Legette said Thursday that he's down to 221 pounds after losing 7-9 pounds in the offseason, Joe Person of The Athletic reports. Legette also told reporters that he tried to "bulletproof" his problematic hamstrings this offseason. He's missed only three games since the Panthers took him 32nd overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, but recurring hamstring issues have limited his practice time -- and potentially impacted his in-game performance. Averaging 27.7 receiving yards per game and 5.8 yards per target through two NFL seasons, Legette may now have to compete for the No. 3 WR job during training camp. Rookie third-round pick Chris Brazzell headlines the potential competition, with John Metchie and Jimmy Horn being the dark-horse candidates.

Legette is facing additional competition for snaps and targets after Carolina selected Chris Brazzell in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports. Legette, a 2024 first-round pick, is coming off a disappointing Year 2 campaign in which he totaled just a 35-353-3 line (64 targets) across 15 regular-season appearances, lower totals than not only Tetairoa McMillan, the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year, but also Jalen Coker, who logged just 11 regular-season appearances. As such, Legette projects as no better than the No. 3 WR for QB Bryce Young in 2026, though his role as a deep threat could be challenged by Brazzell, who boasts 4.37 speed and a 6-foot-4 frame. This offseason will be crucial for Legette, as his already-marginal fantasy value will take a steep hit if Brazzell is able to encroach on reps in three-wide sets alongside McMillan and Coker.

Legette caught one of four targets for eight yards during Saturday's 34-31 wild-card loss to the Rams. Additionally, he recorded 44 kick return yards. The 2024 first-round pick from South Carolina was one of six Panthers to catch a pass from Bryce Young during Saturday's loss, finishing with the fifth-most receiving yards on the team. Across 15 regular-season appearances, Legette caught 35 of 64 targets for 363 yards and three touchdowns, finishing the year as Carolina's third-leading receiver. Heading into his third season in the NFL, Legette likely will remain a depth option in the Panthers' receiving corps following the emergence of Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker during the 2025 campaign.