Why the Gamecock wide receiver has caught the attention of the Carolina Panthers, but is he worth the hype?
Like many prospects in the NFL Draft, Xavier Legette elicits a range of opinions from draft analysts for various reasons. The Panthers appear to align more with those who view Legette favorably. Let’s delve into Legette’s profile to grasp what might be attracting their interest.
ATHLETICISM
Legette boasts impressive physical attributes that stand out in this year’s draft class. Standing at 6’1″ and weighing 221 lbs, he recorded a swift 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Beyond just track speed, Legette has demonstrated exceptional on-field speed, notably during a catch-and-run against Mississippi State where he reached a top speed of 22.3 miles per hour. According to Next Gen Stats, this would have been the fastest recorded speed on an NFL field last year.
Further evidence of Legette’s elite blend of height, weight, and speed that NFL scouts highly value comes from the newly introduced Game Athleticism Score (GAS) metric by PFF:
“The PFF GAS rating incorporates various metrics calculated by PFF for each player on every play, including speeds, accelerations, and changes of direction. To determine an athleticism score, PFF combines these play-level metrics and scores them based on each metric’s season-to-season consistency by position.”
In PFF’s dataset, Xavier Legette ranked in the 99th percentile, showcasing exceptional on-field athleticism. His performance is remarkably impressive, landing him in the 98th percentile of athletes since 1987 when considering Relative Athletic Scores, after excelling in the other athletic testing components of the evaluation process.
METRICS
In the Pro Football Focus draft guide, which requires a subscription, each wide receiver’s prospect profile features their 2023 ranking in Pro Football Focus’ “stable metrics.” These metrics are described as statistics that “consistently carry over from college to the NFL.” Essentially, a player’s performance in these areas during college is more indicative of their potential success in the NFL.
The 49ers’ need for another last-second miracle calls for a closer look back.
It’s January 14th, 2012, and we find ourselves at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. With just 14 seconds left on the clock, the 49ers are trailing by three points and facing a crucial third down. They desperately need a score to keep their playoff dreams alive without leaving it to chance in overtime. On the other side, the Saints have the opportunity to seal the game with a takeaway and secure their spot in the NFC Championship Game. To truly grasp the significance of this moment and understand the journey that led here, let’s take a step back and rewind.
To provide context to Legette’s rankings among his peers in the 2024 draft class, let’s compare his metrics with those of the consensus top three wide receivers expected to be drafted within the top ten picks: Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze. Additionally, we’ll look at two larger-bodied prospects, Keon Coleman and Adonai Mitchell, who are projected to be selected in the same range as Legette.
(Note: The values in parentheses represent each prospect’s percentile ranking for each metric. All data is sourced from the PFF 2024 NFL Draft Guide, which provides 2023 values. PFF notes that these metrics focus solely on on-field production and do not take into account physical measurables.)
2024 PFF Stable Metrics (WR)
2024 Draft Class
| Receiving grade vs single coverage |
| Marvin Harrison (100) |
| Malik Nabers (100) |
| Rome Odunze (100) |
| Xavier Legette (98) |
| Adonai Mitchell (98) |
| Keon Coleman (92) |
| Rec grade vs zone coverage |
| Malik Nabers (93) |
| Marvin Harrison (91) |
| Rome Odunze (90) |
| Xavier Legette (84) |
| Keon Coleman (80) |
| Adonai Mitchell (49) |
| Yards per route run |
| Marvin Harrison (98) |
| Malik Nabers (97) |
| Rome Odunze (95) |
| Xavier Legette (93) |
| Keon Coleman (78) |
| Adonai Mitchell (70) |
| Seperation % vs single coverage |
| Marvin Harrison (77) |
| Xavier Legette (68) |
| Adonai Mitchell (61) |
| Rome Odunze (60) |
| Malik Nabers (58) |
| Keon Coleman (47) |
| Open target % |
| Marvin Harrison (77) |
| Xavier Legette (69) |
| Malik Nabers (64) |
| Rome Odunze (61) |
| Adonai Mitchell (58) |
| Keon Coleman (53) |
The stable metrics for the top three prospects validate why they’re considered top ten picks. Legette closely follows them, ranking either fourth in each metric just behind the elite trio or trailing only Marvin Harrison Jr. Considering this is based on a single year’s data, Legette’s consistent performance compared to the consensus top receivers is promising. Compared to Keon Coleman and Adonai Mitchell, Legette’s metrics stand out as superior, leading in all five categories.
RED FLAG
A significant concern in Legette’s profile is his breakout year coming in his fifth collegiate season. It’s challenging to find NFL wide receivers who had only one standout college year as a super senior.
However, several factors could explain this late emergence: his time as a high school quarterback, the tragic loss of both parents, coaching changes, the pandemic, waiting behind upperclassmen, and subpar quarterback play before Spencer Rattler joined the University of South Carolina. NFL analyst Brett Kollmann detailed Legette’s challenging journey to the NFL on social media.
While these factors may offer context, a late breakout is still preferable to none at all. Legette’s commitment and resilience, especially in an era of transfer portal quick exits, could make him a valuable asset for a struggling team like the Carolina Panthers.
PLAYER FIT
Ultimately, Legette’s fit within the Carolina Panthers’ vision under Head Coach Dave Canales is crucial. His strength and speed make him a tough matchup, crucial for an offense focused on timing, as expected under Canales. If a play breaks down, Legette’s impressive vertical leap allows him to out-jump defenders, a valuable asset in contested catch situations.
Legette could immediately contribute by stretching defenses vertically, running crossing routes, screens, or even returning kicks. Last season, Canales’ offense in Tampa prioritized explosive plays off play-action, targeting Mike Evans downfield. Legette’s skills align well with this role, offering Bryce Young a reliable target to help rebuild his confidence.
The Panthers already have route-running specialists like Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson, which should ease the pressure on Legette to be the primary target initially. With some technical refinement, particularly in his hip movement, Legette can enhance his route running. While he may never match Johnson’s precision, his physical attributes compensate.
Comparisons between Legette and Seattle Seahawks’ Pro Bowl receiver DK Metcalf, whom Canales coached, further highlight Legette’s potential role in the Panthers’ offense.
CONCLUSION
Legette possesses a rare blend of size and speed coupled with the mindset to leverage these gifts. While his age and single standout season concern some scouts, the Panthers might view him as a worthwhile investment with an early second-round pick, hoping his potential shines on game days at Bank of America Stadium.