Top WR prospect says Panthers are hoping he falls to them

The Panthers are without their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft thanks to their trade for the first overall pick in last year's draft. 

As a result, Carolina isn't scheduled to make its first selection until pick No. 33 in the second round. Who the team is eyeing with it is up for debate, but one of the top wide receiver prospects believes it will be him if he falls.

"I've met with the Panthers about four or five times," South Carolina's Xavier Legette said, via John Crumpler of USA Today. "The relationship, it just keeps continuing to grow. They're really hoping I can make it the second round. They keep on telling me if I'm sitting at 33, they're gonna take me."

Legette is one of the more intriguing wide receivers in the draft class after registering 71 catches for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns last season and there's a good chance he is still available when the Panthers are on the clock.

The 23-year-old currently ranks as the 12th-best wide receiver and No. 53 overall prospect of Pro Football Focus's big board. 

That projects him to be a mid-to-late second-round pick. However, if Carolina, which also owns pick No. 39, doesn't want to take the risk of losing him, it could certainly select him at No. 33.

If that's the case, Legette will join the Panthers' much-improved wide receiver room. This offseason, Carolina traded for former Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson.

A wide receiver trio of Johnson, Legette and Adam Thielen will give QB Bryce Young fewer excuses to continue struggling in 2024. The No. 1 overall pick threw just 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 16 games last season.

Legette could still sneak into the first round if other teams are as high on him as the Panthers seem to be. If not, however, he won't have to travel too far to begin his NFL career.