While it's true the Panthers explored adding a more established No. 1 receiver this offseason, checking in on DK Metcalf prior to the Seahawks trading him to the Steelers, Carolina head coach Dave Canales believes his team could have a comparable option already on the roster.
"I think we got that guy," Canales said Tuesday morning from the Annual League Meeting, via the Panthers' team website. "I think it's Xavier."
As in Xavier Legette, the receiver the Panthers traded up to select at the end of Round 1 in last year's draft. As a rookie, Legette caught 49 passes for 497 yards and four touchdowns and had some high moments. But he also struggled with dropped passes (eight on 81 targets, per PFF), including one big one late in a 22-16 loss to the eventual-champion Eagles.
But Canales believes a full offseason with the big second-year receiver could result in a breakout season.
"I think it's up to the coaches to just continue to develop him and let him grow at his pace," Canales said. "So, for me, the goal for Xavier Legette is let's just take that next step. This is going to be his first offseason with us, from Phase One all the way through, and I just love to see where that goes."
The 24-year-old Legette played through injuries and only missed one game last season, and he's been cleared to start working again following offseason foot surgery. As for the drops, Canales doesn't appear concerned long term and said that Legette has the work ethic to correct those issues.
"Xavier's doing a bunch of stuff," Canales said. "He's an over-worker, and that's a good thing. He's wired the right way. He's grinding. He's in there. He's doing stuff.
"You can't get him out of the building. He's there early and late, and so he's one of those guys, so he's doing all the right things, and with the hard work, it will pay off."
The Panthers have spent most of their offseason resources so far beefing up a defense that allowed an NFL-worst 534 points, but Canales, who coached Metcalf in Seattle, at one point did reach out to inquire about a trade to get him and add a proven WR1.
But in Legette, Canales has a player who shares similar measurements to Legette -- 6-foot-4, 235 lbs. for Metcalf versus about 6-foot-3, 227 lbs. for Legette -- that he believes can embody that similar big-bodied, big-play receiving threat that's Metcalf's signature.
There's also the possibility the Panthers draft a wide receiver, starting with the No. 8 overall pick, and Carolina returns its top four wideouts, including Adam Thielen and Jalen Coker, the undrafted standout who made several big plays as a rookie last year.
But Canales believes Legette can fill the role of go-to receiver for QB Bryce Young to look to in key situations.
"You've got a guy who's 6-2 1/2, 225 pounds and runs 4.3," Canales said. "And he's a playmaker, and it's on film, and so it's like, let's start there. Let's just take the next step with him."
