Panthers sign first-round draft pick Xavier Legette, rookie contract details revealed

The Carolina Panthers did not have a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, that was until they traded up to the No. 32 overall pick to select South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette with the final pick of the round. With Legette now officially putting pen to paper with the Panthers and signing a 4-year deal worth $12,357,176 with the franchise.

After playing high school and college football in South Carolina, Legette now only makes a short move up to Charlotte, North Carolina to begin is professional career. Joining the Panthers following a breakout season with the Gamecocks in 2023.

In his first four seasons at South Carolina Legette caught just 42 passes for 423 yards and five touchdowns. But last year he asserted himself as one of the top wideouts in the nation after breaking out for 71 receptions for 1,255 and seven touchdowns. Building on his dominant year with strong performances at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine to continue boosting his draft stock.

Legette stands at 6-foot-1 and weighs 221 pounds, running an impressive 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the combine and proving throughout last college football season that he has all of the physical tools to be a productive pro. With the Panthers hoping that he can help their former No. 1 overall pick and quarterback Bryce Young as a go-to target in the pass game following a rough rookie season a year ago.

“We love Xavier,” Panthers President of Football Operations/General Manager Dan Morgan said. “Everything he (brought) not only as a person but as a player, like his ability to attack the ball when it’s in the air, his ability to run with it after the catch. He’s just big, he’s strong, he’s physical. I think he has a lot of upside. So, we wanted to take that opportunity to go get our guy.”

“Now with that being said, he’s got a long way to go,” Panthers head coach Dave Canales said. “He’s got to learn our stuff. He’s got to figure out the system and, and find out how he fits into the whole thing, not just the pass game, but the run game as well. So, just speaking to that, I’m just really excited to bring his talents to our offense. At the same time, I’m sure he knows, too, he’s got a lot of work in front of him.”