DONALD WATKINS


Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales praised the work relationship between receivers Xavier Legette, who was the team’s first round draft in 2024, and Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina’s 2025 first-rounder. “It’s a great fit,” Canales said. “These are two guys who love to play.”

During an early 7-on-7 drill, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette caught a deep crossing route in stride from Bryce Young.

Moments later, rookie Tetairoa McMillan showed off his catching radius on a sideline route.

If anyone had any concerns about the potential for professional jealousy between the Panthers’ past two No. 1 draft picks, Legette squashed those notions by describing his initial interactions with McMillan as “all smiles.”

On the practice field for the first time as teammates Tuesday, Legette and McMillan opened the NFL’s offseason training activities by alternating connections with Young.

“It’s a great fit,” coach Dave Canales said. “These are two guys who love to play. For two young guys that we hope to be here for a long time, it’s about having fun.”

And making plays.

Coming off a 5-12 campaign and out of the playoffs since 2017, the Panthers needed more offensive juice to help Young continue last season’s second-half surge.

Enter Legette with the 32nd overall pick during the 2024 NFL Draft and McMillan as a top 10 selection last April.
Young can see the potential.

QB connecting with young receivers

While starting only 12 games last season, Young overcame a much-publicized Week 3 benching to revitalize a dormant franchise – and create a sense of optimism among the fan base. Still, he needed more help.

According to Fantasy Points Data, Young lost an NFL-high 210 air yards off on-target throws last season. Among that lost yardage, 32 came via Legette’s Week 14 drop that could have clinched a road win against the Philadelphia Eagles, who rolled on to clinch Super Bowl LIX.

Legette, who jumped off to a quick start as a rookie, slowed during the second half, compiling a team-high eight drops. He collected all four touchdown passes during the opening nine games.

During postseason film review with coaches, Legette said they determined he should work on catching with his hands rather than utilizing his body to haul in passes. It’s a work in progress.

“Me getting open wasn’t the problem,” said Legette, who often displayed his emotions after losses last season. “[It was] the drops I had. I just want to make this year better than last year.

“I want to do a whole lot more.”

That started with his health.

To address lingering foot problems, Legette underwent surgery. Now healed, he insists he’s “trending in the right direction. My body is feeling great.”
In contrast to last season’s end, Canales noticed Legette’s near-consistent grin during the early stages of OTAs.

“When I see him smiling, I know he’s in a good space,” Canales said. “Just the speed that he’s playing with now, with the level of comfort he has with what we’re doing. And he really has just been enjoying this offseason. Working hard.

“He looks big and fast.”

Legette applauded April’s draft pick

If Legette felt insecure about his future with the Panthers, he didn’t sound like it when discussing the new stable of prospects in the wide receiver room.

Along with McMillan, general manager Dan Morgan added speedster Jimmy Horn Jr. in the sixth round of the draft and signed at two intriguing undrafted free agents, Miami’s Jacolby George and Central Florida’s Kobe Hudson.

Legette said he was aware of internal scuttlebutt that Morgan was considering picking McMillan at No. 8 overall over an expected top-tier edge rusher.

“I knew that was going to happen,” he said.

How?

“We had a little bit of talks,” he said. “We had some talks throughout the building, and he was an option.

“I feel like that was a great pick for us. Every receiver we got in that room, I feel like was good choices, even the undrafted guys, they’re showing they can play in this league as well.”

Jalen Coker, a 2024 undrafted rookie who developed into a starter by season’s end, was a not a full participant in Tuesday’s OTA opener. The Panthers will hold six practice sessions over the next two weeks. Coker is dealing with soft tissue injury and did limited drills on the side.

Canales on Tuesday announced the Panthers will participate in a joint practice with the host Houston Texans before the teams compete Aug. 16 during the second week of exhibition games.
“That’ll be a great one, you know,” Canales said. “It’s warm here; it’s really warm in Houston. I was in Tampa for a year, but I’ve also heard Houston just gives you that good work, and the humidity and the heat will be great, especially opening up at Jacksonville. So, it’ll be a great opportunity for us to get on the road.”

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