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Panthers urged to move on from underperforming former 1st-round pick in 2026

Panthers urged to move on from underperforming former 1st-round pick in 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Carolina Panthers were one of the most surprising NFL teams in 2025. The young Panthers won the NFC South and got to host a playoff game.

It was definitely more than even most Panthers fans were expecting, but now expectations are going to be higher for 2026. The team made some decent moves this offseason, adding Devin Lloyd and Jaelan Phillips to the defense in free agency.

Then, the Panthers filled in more gaps during the draft. With the new incoming talent, there will undoubtedly be some familiar names who get bumped off the roster. One of those players who could be in danger is a recent first-round pick.

Panthers urged to move on from Xavier Legette

Moe Moton of Bleacher Report recently identified one player each NFL team should trade. For the Panthers, Moton identified Legette as the most logical trade candidate.

Legette was drafted by the Panthers in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. However, it's fair to say Legette has been a massive disappointment so far considering where he was drafted.

Regarding Legette and a trade, Moton offered the following:

In 2024, the Panthers signed Jalen Coker as an undrafted free agent, the same year they drafted Legette in the first round. Yet he's progressed more than the former Day 1 pick despite injuries.

This year, Carolina selected Chris Brazzell II in the third round of the draft, which should put Legette on notice.

The Panthers may be able to find a trade partner for Legette because of the wideout's draft pedigree, though the compensation won't be much because the wideout has fallen short of expectations, hauling in 84 receptions for 860 yards and seven touchdowns.

As Moton mentioned, Legette has been surpassed by Jalen Coker, who went undrafted the same year Legette was taken in the first round. The Panthers also added Chris Brazzell II in the draft, and Brazzell has looked awesome in OTAs so far.

As a rookie, Legette caught 49 passes for 497 yards and four touchdowns. Then, last season, Legette caught 35 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns. It's disappointing that's the level he produced at in the first place, but even more disappointing that his numbers went down.

Moton rightfully noted that the Panthers likely won't get much in a trade for Legette. The receiver hasn't shown anything close to first-round pick production, but several teams would probably be interested in buying low.

Carolina just isn't the best spot for Legette to flourish it doesn't seem like. The receiver seemingly needs a fresh start to prove he can be a reliable receiver in this league.

Plus, if the Panthers trade Legette, it will allow the rookie Brazzell to get more snaps immediately. A trio of Tetairoa McMillan, Coker, and Brazzell would give the Panthers one of the most interesting, young pass-catcher groups in the league.