Panthers Zoning In On Speedy Wide Receiver With Their First Draft Pick
By Cem Yolbulan
The Carolina Panthers may not have a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft but that doesn't mean that they can't find real differencemakers. Their best chance to do so will be with their 33rd and 39th overall picks in the draft. With only a few days left before the big day, the Panthers are zoning in on the prospects they have targeted and evaluated.
One of those prospects is the South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette. In fact, it sounds like the Panthers have done more than just evaluate him. According to the pass-catcher himself, Carolina has promised to take him with their No. 33 pick if he is still on the board.
Panthers Likely Selecting WR Xavier Legette With Their First Pick
“I’ve met with the Panthers 4 or 5 times… They keep telling me that if I’m sitting at (pick) 33 they’re going to take me.”
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) April 22, 2024
South Carolina WR Xavier Legette was not shy about disclosing his relationship with the receiver-needy, local Carolina Panthers.
The interest is real. pic.twitter.com/xB1gZ9PpNE
In an interview with USA Today's John Crumpler, Legette revealed that the Panthers told him that they would select him if he is "sitting at 33". Stating that he met with the organization four or five times, Legette sounds fully ready to be a Panther come the first pick of the second round.
Legette and the Panthers are a match made in heaven. Carolina ranked dead last in the NFL last year in passing yards and only scored 13 passing touchdowns, the second-worst number in the league. They averaged an abysmal 5.5 yards per pass, another league-worst mark.
Some of that could be attributed to Bryce Young's rookie season or the offensive line struggles. But it's also clear that the Panthers had one of the worst receiver corps in the league last season. They addressed it by adding Diontae Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers but considering the age-related decline of Adam Thielen and the unproven status of Jonathan Mingo, the Panthers will likely add another WR via the draft.
FanDuel Sportsbook also projects that the Panthers will likely pick a wide receiver with their first selection. (-140) Head over there now to get in on the action and don't forget to claim your sign-up bonus.
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