As the 2025 NFL season nears and training camps kick off, the Carolina Panthers find themselves in a crucial period of development and evaluation. Rookies officially reported on Monday, while the veterans followed on Tuesday, marking the start of what the Panthers hope will be a promising and transformative training camp. Under new head coach Dave Canales, there’s growing optimism that the franchise can continue to rebound after years of instability and disappointing performances.
Last season, despite beginning the year with a dismal 1-7 record, the Panthers managed to show significant improvement by winning four of their final nine games. This late-season surge was a welcome sight after enduring a brutal 2-15 campaign the year before. Now, heading into 2025, there’s a clear sense that the Panthers are trying to lay the foundation for long-term success—especially with their investments in young offensive talent.
Over the past two NFL Drafts, Carolina has done something unprecedented in its franchise history: they selected wide receivers in the first round in consecutive years. This aggressive approach highlights the team’s commitment to surrounding second-year quarterback Bryce Young with explosive weapons capable of stretching the field and creating scoring opportunities.
The latest addition came in April 2025, when the Panthers used the eighth overall pick to select Tetairoa McMillan from the University of Arizona. McMillan was one of college football’s most productive receivers over the past two seasons, and he’s expected to bring size, speed, and a big-play threat to Carolina’s receiving corps. With his impressive collegiate track record, the Panthers are hoping McMillan quickly forms a strong rapport with Bryce Young and becomes a go-to target on critical downs.
But while McMillan’s arrival has garnered plenty of headlines, it’s actually a player from the previous year’s draft who’s being spotlighted as a major figure to watch during this summer’s camp—Xavier Legette.
Legette, the former South Carolina wide receiver, was selected by the Panthers with the 32nd overall pick in 2024 after the team traded back into the first round to get him. It was a bold move by general manager Dan Morgan, showing a strong belief in Legette’s potential to be a difference-maker on offense. Though Legette’s rookie season wasn’t flashy, it was foundational. He led the team in receptions, finishing with 49 catches—a modest number, but notable considering the struggles of the Panthers’ offense last year.
ESPN analysts have highlighted Legette as a key player to monitor closely during this year’s training camp. His growth could be pivotal to Carolina’s offensive strategy. As a second-year player, he’s now familiar with the rigors of the NFL, and the expectation is that he’ll take a significant step forward in 2025. With McMillan drawing defensive attention as a rookie with sky-high expectations, Legette could benefit from less defensive focus, freeing him up to become a more consistent and reliable option for Young.
The context behind Legette’s selection is important. After a standout senior season at South Carolina where he displayed elite athleticism, strong hands, and the ability to make contested catches, the Panthers saw him as a foundational piece for their rebuild. His adjustment to the professional level was not without hurdles, and some insiders noted that his rookie-year challenges were foreseeable given the learning curve for wide receivers transitioning to the NFL. Despite that, Legette showed toughness, flashes of explosiveness, and a willingness to grow—a combination that bodes well for his future development.
This season, the Panthers are banking on their young receivers to elevate Bryce Young, who is also entering a crucial sophomore campaign. Young’s rookie year was a rollercoaster, marked by flashes of potential but also numerous growing pains. Much of his success going forward will depend on the players around him, particularly his pass-catchers. A strong second-year leap from Legette would not only ease some of the pressure on McMillan but also provide Young with a trusted, familiar target.
What makes Legette’s role so intriguing this camp is that he finds himself at a pivotal crossroads. With a full offseason under his belt, a new offensive-minded head coach in Dave Canales, and better system continuity, all the ingredients are in place for Legette to turn the corner. Canales is known for helping wide receivers thrive—having previously worked with players like D.K. Metcalf and Mike Evans—and Legette could be his next breakout project.
In addition, Legette has reportedly come into camp in great shape and with an increased understanding of the team’s playbook. Coaches and insiders alike have commented on his improved route-running, better grasp of defensive coverages, and overall confidence—three signs that he’s ready to make a more substantial impact.
That being said, the Panthers’ offense is still very much a work in progress. While McMillan and Legette are promising young weapons, the rest of the depth chart remains unproven. The offensive line must protect Young better, and the run game needs consistency. But having two young, high-upside wide receivers competing and developing together could spark the kind of offensive rejuvenation the Panthers have sorely needed.
Looking at the bigger picture, the Panthers are signaling that they’re done playing it safe with their roster construction. Their back-to-back first-round investments in wideouts reflect an organizational shift—a focus on building around a young quarterback by giving him every chance to succeed. And while McMillan may be the shiny new toy, it’s Legette—already battle-tested and hungry to improve—who could end up becoming the engine of the passing attack in 2025.
If he capitalizes on his opportunity this training camp, Legette has a chance to prove that last year’s growing pains were merely the foundation for a breakout sophomore season. With increased competition and expectations, his performance in these next few weeks could shape not only his role in the offense but the direction of the Panthers’ season.
In summary, as training camp unfolds for Carolina, Xavier Legette finds himself under the microscope as a player who could make or break the team’s offensive momentum. He may not be the headline-grabbing rookie anymore, but his development is every bit as crucial to the Panthers’ rebuild—and possibly more impactful in the short term. The attention on McMillan may be louder, but don’t be surprised if it’s Legette who quietly becomes Bryce Young’s favorite weapon and a central figure in Carolina’s 2025 offensive revival.
