CHARLOTTE, N.C. (January 23, 2026) — In the National Football League, draft pedigree often buys a player patience, but it rarely buys them immunity. For Xavier Legette, the former No. 32 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the clock appears to be ticking louder than ever.

Despite public assurances from the Carolina Panthers organization that they remain committed to the 24-year-old wide receiver, the atmosphere surrounding Legette’s future has shifted from hopeful optimism to ominous uncertainty. Following a sophomore season marred by inconsistency and a diminished role in the playoffs, prominent NFL voices are now suggesting that the Panthers may be preparing to cut their losses sooner rather than later.

Leading the chorus of doubt is ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell, who recently suggested that Legette could suffer a fate similar to former Panther Jonathan Mingo—a high draft pick traded away by General Manager Dan Morgan when it became clear the fit wasn’t right.

The “Mingo Precedent”

The concern for Legette’s camp stems from the ruthlessness of the current front office. Dan Morgan has proven he does not subscribe to the “sunk cost fallacy.” This was evidenced by the swift trade of Jonathan Mingo to the Dallas Cowboys before the 2024 deadline. Mingo, a top-40 pick, was moved after just 24 games when the organization decided he wasn’t developing as anticipated.

according to Barnwell, the writing may be on the wall for Legette in a strikingly similar fashion.

“The Panthers still have a spot for [Xavier] Legette in the lineup when they play three-wide sets, but he has fallen behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker in terms of priorities and production for Carolina,” Barnwell noted in his recent analysis. “And there’s no reason why GM Dan Morgan would keep that spot open if the Panthers can find an upgrade this offseason. Carolina was willing to give up on Mingo… I suspect it would be similar for Legette this offseason.”

From Breakout Star to “Gadget” Option

The fall from grace has been perplexing for fans who watched Legette surge up draft boards following a spectacular final season at South Carolina. The Panthers were so enamored with his unique blend of size, speed, and a “bubbly persona” that they traded up one spot into the first round to secure him, granting them the luxury of a fifth-year option.

However, the translation to the professional game has been rocky. Legette’s rookie season was blighted by concentration issues and sloppy individual mistakes. While “rookie growing pains” are expected, the lack of rectification in Year 2 has been alarming. Instead of taking a step forward, Legette seemed to regress in reliability.

This regression had tangible consequences. As the Panthers pushed toward the postseason—their first playoff berth since 2017—Head Coach Dave Canales significantly reduced Legette’s involvement. In the most critical moments of the season, the coaching staff looked elsewhere.

The Rise of Coker and McMillan

Legette’s struggles have been highlighted by the rapid ascent of his teammates. The Panthers’ wide receiver room has evolved, leaving the former first-rounder in the dust.

Tetairoa McMillan has firmly established himself as the team’s alpha receiver, while Jalen Coker has emerged as the clear and reliable No. 2 option. Perhaps most damning for Legette is the usage of sixth-round rookie Jimmy Horn Jr., whom the coaching staff trusted more in high-leverage situations at the business end of the campaign.¹

Currently, analysts view Legette as a “gadget option at best”—a devastating label for a player drafted to be a cornerstone X-receiver.

The Offseason Crossroads

While Canales has publicly stated he believes Legette can still salvage his career, and Morgan has preached the need for more time, the upcoming offseason presents a major hurdle. The Panthers are in a competitive window now. They cannot afford to field a liability at the receiver position in hopes that potential eventually turns into production.

The consensus around the league is that Carolina will not “sit on their hands” this spring. The team is expected to aggressively pursue reinforcements at the wideout spot via free agency or the draft. If a significant addition is made, Legette—viewed by some critics as a “one-season wonder” in college—could become instantly expendable.

The Stakes Are Raised

The narrative surrounding Xavier Legette has shifted from “when will he break out?” to “will he be on the roster in September?”

If the Panthers find an upgrade, the precedent set by the Mingo trade suggests they won’t hesitate to move Legette for draft capital. The immense physical talent is still there, and there may be other teams willing to take a gamble on his raw athletic attributes. But in Carolina, patience is a finite resource.

Legette enters the 2026 offseason with his back against the wall. He needs substantial growth, and he needs it immediately. If he cannot prove he is more than a gadget player with concentration issues, his tenure with the Panthers may end up being a short, disappointing footnote in the franchise’s rebuilding era.

The stakes have been raised exponentially. It could legitimately go either way, but for the first time, “moving on” feels like a distinct possibility.