Here are three possible landing spots for “Remarkable” route runner and South Carolina product Xavier Legette in this year’s NFL Draft. Last month, Legette turned many talking heads after delivering an astonishing performance which led to his draft stock on an upward trend. The receiver’s athleticism was on full display as he notched a Relative Athletic Score of 9.92, placing him 24th among other wideouts. His combination of size and explosiveness has easily made him one of the most-viewed prospects of this year’s class.
However, the class this year is loaded with talent in the 2024 NFL Draft so there’s a chance that the South Carolina product could go late in the first round. He’s similar to FSU’s product, Keon Coleman as they’re perimeter receivers who can excel at using their size to catch balls in contested situations. However, Legette has a higher ceiling but the track of success in his collegiate athletic career doesn’t show that. This shouldn’t matter to scouts since he’s putting in the work now and what teams are looking for before their next step for the league.
His athletic speed was also on display, clocking a blistering 4.39-second 40-yard dash and top-tier results in other drills. These showings are why his draft stock is rising, not because of his days in South Carolina. The only minor detail is his height which could be an issue but it allows him to get open fast. Last season, it was nothing spectacular since he only posted 1,255 receiving yards and 17.7 yards per catch.
Legette can dominate cornerbacks on crossing routes, the slot or outside. He has shown that he can be very versatile in challenging many defenses. This is what most teams are striving for this year to complete their other talent. Here are three landing spots for Legette.
Three Possible Landing Spots for “Remarkable” Route Runner Xavier Legette
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are one wide receiver selection in this year’s draft from having a complete offense for Bryce Young. The team was able to trade for Diontae Johnson but it doesn’t give them a long-term future. Adam Thielen and Johnson are on the older side in their career so adding Legette would make sense. It gives Young a weapon to work and build with for the next decade.
The interest is there as well, the Panthers are eyeing him and Coleman for their first-round selection. The South Carolina native turned his senior season into the best one in his entire collegiate career. Legette notched 71 receptions, surpassing the thousand-yard mark with 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns. Over the three seasons, he returned 29 kicks for 767 yards (averaging 26.5 yards per return) with one touchdown.
It seems like this is the best destination where he grew up. This move would make the Carolina offense the best yet under new head coach Dave Canales. However, the Panthers aren’t desperate for a wideout but adding this weapon would find Young no trouble throwing darts down the field. If Legette is garnering a lot of attention from Carolina then there’s no such thing as too many wideouts in the league.
New Orleans Saints
The relationship between Michael Thomas and the Saints was shut out this offseason. This leaves the team with Chris Olave looking for the next wideout to complement him in the deep route. Legette could fill that spot with the body type he has to make those critical catches to convert downs. The Saints don’t have desirable depth at the receiver position.
The good news is that Legette has similar qualities as Deebo Samuel in his game carrying the ball in the open field. He isn’t the type of player to fumble on important drives so that’s something that the team should strive for. Legette is a ball hawk in a receiver sense for what he can produce.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens would become one of the most dominant AFC teams next to the Kansas City Chiefs if they acquire Legette in this year’s draft. The latest mock has the Ravens selecting him late in the first round. Baltimore is missing a reliable receiver next to Zay Flowers after the release of Odell Beckham Jr. This roster is already deep with Lamar Jackson taking over so adding Legette would give him a similar quality when they had Marquise Brown.
