The Carolina Panthers roster has improved a great deal the last few years, thanks mostly to some stalwart drafting by general manager Dan Morgan and his front office.
Morgan’s picks in the last two NFL drafts, in particular, have gotten great reviews—but his first one wasn’t quite so successful. At the top, the Panthers traded into the bottom of the first round to take a roll of the dice on South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette.
Carolina’s decision-makers clearly banked on Legette’s collegiate production as well as his impressive athletic profile to help make him a star at the next level. Three years later, that hasn’t happened—and Legette’s career in the NFL is no longer guaranteed after his rookie contract winds down.
Heading into the 2026 season, Legette has been named the one Panthers player with the most on the line this year by The Athletic. Team beat reporter Joe Person writes:
Bryce Young’s money is on the line as he enters his fourth season seeking a second contract. But Legette’s job is on the line. GM Dan Morgan has a history of moving on from unproductive receivers, and Legette could be the next to go. Unlike Terrace Marshall and Jonathan Mingo, Legette was one of Morgan’s draft picks (32nd in 2024), and the Panthers still hope he isn’t a bust. Legette took steps this offseason to avoid the hamstring problems that have plagued him. But he needs to be better all-around after getting passed by Jalen Coker last season as WR2 behind Tetairoa McMillan.
As Person mentions, Young also has a case to make this list for the Panthers. However, Young has a little more time to work things out than Legette—as he’s had his fifth year option picked up already.
Legette will probably not get that honor—and if he doesn’t show a dramatic improvement this coming season, he will be down to the final year of his rookie pact to prove himself.
It’s just not a matter of numbers, either. Legette’s issues are largely a matter of focus and intensity. Too many times, he’s failed to line up in a timely manner or get his feet in-bounds when making sideline catches.
Legette has to do more than just add more receptions, more yards and more touchdowns. He has to prove that he understands the pro game—or the Panthers will be well within their rights to bury him in the rotation until his contract runs out.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Which Panthers player has the most on the line in 2026?
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