Dave Canales Compares Xavier Legette To DK Metcalf
At the Annual League Meeting on Tuesday, Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales compared wide receiver Xavier Legette to Pittsburgh Steelers wideout DK Metcalf. The Panthers reportedly checked in on Metcalf before the Seahawks traded him to Pittsburgh, but Carolina's head coach touted one of his own when asked about him. "I think we got that guy," Canales said, "I think it's Xavier." The 24-year-old flashed in 2024 but was mostly underwhelming and struggled with drops (eight on 81 targets). However, Canales believes we could see big things from Legette with an entire offseason under his belt. He also noted the second-year wideout's work ethic. "You can't get him out of the building. He's there early and late...he's doing all the right things, and with the hard work, it will pay off." The South Carolina native has a bit to go before he's fantasy-relevant, but the vote of confidence from his head coach is encouraging. He sits favorably on the team's depth chart for now, but that could change later this month after the draft.
The Charlotte Observer's Xavier Legette (foot) avoided wrist surgery but did have foot surgery this offseason, according to general manager Dan Morgan. Legette played through a foot injury in his first year in the NFL in 2024, which likely played a part in his disappointing showing. After the Panthers selected him 32nd overall out of South Carolina, the 24-year-old struggled to get on the same page with second-year quarterback and caught only 49 of his 84 targets for 497 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games (13 starts). Legette may be forced to miss organized team activities this spring, but he should be fully recovered from his foot surgery in time for the start of training camp this summer. He'll be looking to make a jump in Year 2 in Carolina, but the likely return of veteran Adam Thielen (he was contemplating retirement) could make things more difficult for the former first-rounder.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (hip, wrist) is officially active for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Atlanta Falcons. The rookie had been listed as questionable after finishing last week with back-to-back limited practices. Legette has appeared in 15 contests this season, catching 46 passes for 467 yards and four touchdowns. He typically operates as the No. 2 receiver behind Adam Thielen, and last week, he led the team with nine targets. He should remain heavily involved on Sunday afternoon, but the Panthers' subpar offensive production leaves the rookie pass-catcher as a low-end WR3/FLEX option, at best.
According to the team, Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette (hip/wrist) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. The rookie wideout opened the week as a full participant on Wednesday but was downgraded to a limited participant on Thursday and Friday, which caused him to carry a questionable tag. The 23-year-old missed their Week 16 contest with these same injuries but was able to suit up last weekend. In Week 17, the South Carolina Product caught five of his nine targets for just 28 yards. If Legette can turn the corner in time for Sunday, he would slot in as the No.2 WR on the team, behind Adam Thielen. Fantasy managers should view him as a risky flex option, as he has not scored double-digit PPR points over his past five games despite seeing 6.8 targets per game.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (hip, wrist) was limited during practice on Thursday. The rookie had been a full participant on Wednesday, so this latest update does raise some concerns about his availability for Week 18. The 23-year-old has caught 46 passes for 467 yards and four touchdowns while operating behind Adam Thielen this season. He continues to lose some targets to Jalen Coker and David Moore, but he remains an intriguing dynasty target as he wraps up a solid first campaign in the NFL. In the short term, Legette's status for Week 18 remains up in the air, but we should get more clarity on his status when the Panthers release their Friday injury report.
According to David Newton of ESPN, Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette (hip/wrist) was a full participant during Wednesday's initial practice session. Legette sat out during Week 16 and was listed as questionable for Week 17 but was able to suit up. In this game, the rookie wideout brought in five of his nine targets for 28 yards. During Weeks 1 through 15, Legette saw an average of 5.0 targets per game while tallying 31.4 yards per game. However, during Weeks 4 through 10, Legette found the end zone four times. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during the week in case he faces a setback. However, he should be slated to operate as the No.2 wideout in their final game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Xavier Legette Delivers Low Yardage On Five Receptions
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette caught five of his nine targets for just 28 yards during Sunday's Week 17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The rookie receiver returned from a one-week absence to lead the Panthers in targets and receptions, but his yardage output was relatively disappointing. Legette also played just 68.1 percent of the offensive snaps, which is lower than usual but could just be a reflection of the Panthers being cautious in his first game back from injury. Moving forward, Legette should be able to establish himself as Carolina's No. 2 receiver behind Adam Thielen, but that doesn't mean he won't occasionally be out-played by the likes of Jalen Coker and David Moore. Heading into Week 18 against the Atlanta Falcons, Legette ranks as a WR4.
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette (hip, wrist) is officially active on Sunday as the team takes on the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17. Legette did not play in last Sunday night's loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but he made good progress during the week in practice and will return to the field this weekend. The 23-year-old will be a poor flex option for fantasy managers with everything on the line in Week 17 in Carolina's low-volume passing attack. Veteran Adam Thielen should continue to command most of quarterback Bryce Young's targets, and he'll be fighting for snaps alongside fellow rookie Jalen Coker and David Moore. The 32nd overall pick in this year's draft does have four touchdowns in his first NFL season, but he hasn't scored since Nov. 3 and has gone over 60 receiving yards just once in his 14 games played.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (hip, wrist), is expected to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to NFL Network. The rookie did not play last week, but should give it a go against the Bucs. For fantasy purposes, Legette has been difficult to rely upon in recent weeks, posting just four catches in his past two games and finishing outside the top 30 receivers five games in a row. The Tampa defense is a nice matchup for receivers, but Legette should likely be reserved for deeper leagues only.
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette (hip, wrist) is listed as questionable to play in Sunday's Week 17 contest against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Legette was a full practice participant on Wednesday but was downgraded to limited on Thursday and was limited again on Friday. The first-round selection was unable to play in last week's overtime upset win over the Arizona Cardinals and is in danger of missing his second straight game. If Legette is out again, it will open up more snaps once again for David Moore and rookie Jalen Coker behind top wideout Adam Thielen. If Legette is active, he'll be a deep-league WR4/flex, at best, in his return in an inconsistent Panthers offense. Legette hasn't found the end zone since Week 9 and has only cleared 60 receiving yards once in 14 games in his first year in the NFL. It will be hard to trust him in fantasy championship matchups if he's active.
Xavier Legette
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Panthers
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DK Metcalf
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Steelers
