Making cases for Legette, Brazzell in Carolina Panthers’ wide receiver battle

The Carolina Panthers feel good about their top wide receiver tandem of Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. But after that duo, the third receiver spot has been left open-ended, with former first-round pick Xavier Legette and current third-round pick Chris Brazzell seemingly poised for a big summer battle.

The Charlotte Observer’s Panthers beat writers are dissecting the biggest competitions of training camp in a series called “Making The Case.” After going back and forth on the left tackle and center battles, the beat writing tandem is arguing the cases for the competitors at the wide-open No. 3 wideout spot.

Who should be the favorite to start opposite McMillan and Coker entering Week 1? Let’s debate:

Legette is clearly on the hot seat. He acknowledged as much in June when he said he can’t have another downer year entering his third season. McMillan, the first-round pick after Legette, out-gained his predecessor’s two-year output (84 catches for 860 yards and 7 touchdowns) in his lone award-winning campaign (70 catches for 1,014 yards and 7 touchdowns).

But during OTAs, Legette looked leaner and quicker than in 2025. If the Panthers focus him solely on the “Z” position — where he can avoid press coverage and be used in motion — Legette should be able to provide quality production opposite McMillan and Coker.

Legette is facing a paramount moment in his career, but the pressure of being a top-two option on offense no longer exists. Proving he’s worth his first-round draft slot and trying to earn a fifth-year option should be the furthest things from his mind. He needs to have tunnel vision toward the 2026 season, and that’s where he can up his stock.

With that said, Legette has the opportunity to become an important role player on offense. Brazzell, who has dazzling speed, could take a bit to find his footing as he learns the offense, so Legette can, in theory, position himself well after being in the system for three years.

The Panthers mainly used Brazzell as McMillan’s fill-in at “X” receiver in the spring. While that usage could have been more about McMillan’s absence than Brazzell’s role, Legette got the bulk of the “Z” receiver looks during OTAs.

If the Panthers view Legette as a better threat from the flanker spot, Brazzell could be log-jammed for playing time with McMillan serving as the alpha in the passing game. Coker can play anywhere, making Brazzell’s opportunity to be featured early a bit murky.

– Mike Kaye

In an ideal world, the Carolina Panthers wouldn’t have a competition like this to speak of. McMillan would be the team’s No. 1 wideout and play the “X.” Coker would spell out somewhere in the slot. And Legette, with his impressive linear speed and DK Metcalf-like strength, would be the “Z” receiver, furnishing the deep threat the Panthers desperately need.

But this isn’t an ideal world.

I still believe in Legette. I’m not running from that. Teammates and coaches are effusive in their praise of him as a teammate, as a hard worker, as a person. He’s reliable in the red zone. He’s accountable. He’s focused for a big jump in Year 3.

The only issue with all this is that Brazzell is a really compelling prospect. The coaching staff thinks this. The front office does too. He’s explosive. He’s used to creating big plays. He has an underrated route-running ability, scouts say.

And he’s exactly what the Panthers need. Carolina has enough receivers who can thrive in the intermediate- and short-passing game. They need someone to stretch the field — someone who can expand the horizons of Young, who is one of the best deep passers, statistically, in the game. (He is — he just needs more attempts!)

Legette should get his opportunities. And opportunities will arise naturally; injury attrition is inescapable in the NFL. But the Panthers drafted someone who can elevate this offense in a way it desperately needs. Why not use him ASAP?

– Alex Zietlow

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