The Carolina Panthers have high hopes as they prepare for what they hope will be a special season. The NFC South team picked Bryce Young first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. This time, they are turning their attention to building out their receiver room. One of the most promising talents is Xavier Legette, who’s turning heads of coaches and media members from a ranked program as well.
See, at the NFC coaches breakfast, the Panthers’ offensive coordinator, Dave Canales, left no doubt as to how confident he was in the rookie signal caller. And McDaniels illustrated Young’s skill at performing under pressure, suggesting the talented young quarterback plays his best when the chips are down. This trait will be very important going forward as the Panthers look to build their offense around him.
Xavier Legette, a wide receiver for the Panthers, has been a topic of discussion due to his potential and areas for improvement. He came to the end of last season with five drops, which gave him a drop rate of 6.1%. That stat has him right alongside star wideout Jaylen Waddle. As a result, they are both tied for the fifth highest drop rate among players to have seen at least 75 targets.
There are indicators that show performance growth is necessary on Legette’s end. He averaged only 2.2 YAC, which was the fourth-worst of all receivers with at least 100 targets. Even with these challenges, Canales is still optimistic about Legette’s future, emphasizing his strong work ethic and desire to improve.
“I think we’ve got that guy. I think it’s Xavier Legette,” – Dave Canales
Canales underscored the important role Legette’s continued growth will play in ensuring a strong future. He emphasized that it’s up to the coaching staff to develop him at the right speed. He’s confident that given the right mentorship, Legette can make a DK Metcalf-esque leap. Metcalf went off in his rookie season, then exploded in year two.
During his rookie season, Metcalf caught 58 passes for 900 yards and seven scores. He continued his upward ascent during his second year on campus, raking in 83 receptions for 1,303 yards and ten scores while suddenly blossoming into a star. Indeed, such comparisons only serve as reflection of the lofty expectations and hype surrounding Legette’s potential as a major factor in the Panthers’ offensive plan.
In his rookie season, Legette was predominantly used as a deep threat, running vertical routes on 41.3% of his plays. In particular, his performance on deep balls is cause for alarm. He converted none of his nine deep targets into receptions, tied as the worst performance ever on such number. This deficit in production and efficiency in deep situations puts a lot of stress on Legette. Second, it puts immense pressure on the coaching staff to develop his skill set.
On the surface, the Panthers appear to have made the most intelligent moves during free agency. Further, these strategies position them to draft or sign more impact talent and bolster their roster. Canales was especially excited about the team’s recent early-round acquisitions. Such moves liberate them to prioritize getting the most talented guys who can fit around Young and Legette.
“You’ve got a guy who’s 6-2 1/2, 225 pounds and runs a 4.3 (40-yard dash). And he’s a playmaker. It’s on film. So let’s start there and take the next step with him,” – Dave Canales
As training camp approaches, the Panthers are eager to see how Young will integrate with his receiving corps, particularly with Legette’s potential. A top-tier quarterback joins forces with a rising star wide receiver. Their partnership might be key in determining how the team attempts to deploy inexperienced offensive firepower.
“Honestly, what we did in free agency allows us to take the best available,” – Dave Canales
As training camp approaches, the Panthers are eager to see how Young will integrate with his receiving corps, particularly with Legette’s potential. The collaboration between a talented quarterback and an emerging wide receiver could prove pivotal in shaping the team’s offensive strategy.
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