Panthers trade up, select Xavier Legette 32nd overall

What It Means

The Panthers were slated to open up Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 33rd overall pick, but decided to jump back into the first round in last minute a trade with the Buffalo Bills. They used the 32nd overall pick to select Xavier Legette out of South Carolina.

Legette broke out for the Gamecocks this past year, flashing exciting athleticism on tape while recording 71 catches for 1,255 yards and 7 touchdowns. He was the engine of South Carolina's 2023 offense and could slot in as the Panthers WR1 as early as Week 1.

Legette's on-tape athleticism matched his testing at the NFL Combine, where he sprinted to an elite 4.39-second 40-yard dash. The 6'1", 220lb is a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands and could give the Panthers some much needed yards-after-catch ability a year after 2023 first overall pick Bryce Young's receivers finished dead last in YAC per reception (4.1 yards).