{"id":3585,"date":"2026-07-21T16:05:34","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T16:05:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=3585"},"modified":"2026-07-21T16:05:34","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T16:05:34","slug":"making-cases-for-legette-brazzell-in-carolina-panthers-wide-receiver-battle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=3585","title":{"rendered":"Making cases for Legette, Brazzell in Carolina Panthers\u2019 wide receiver battle"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Read more Thom Tillis vs. Blanche, teen takeovers: What Charlotte was talking about July 13-19<\/a><\/p>\n

The Charlotte Observer\u2019s Panthers beat writers are dissecting the biggest competitions of training camp<\/a> in a series called \u201cMaking The Case.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

Who should be the favorite to start opposite McMillan and Coker entering Week 1? Let\u2019s debate:<\/p>\n

Legette is clearly on the hot seat. He acknowledged as much in June when he said he can\u2019t have another downer year<\/a> entering his third season. McMillan, the first-round pick after Legette, out-gained his predecessor\u2019s 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).<\/p>\n

But during OTAs, Legette looked leaner and quicker than in 2025<\/a>. If the Panthers focus him solely on the \u201cZ\u201d position \u2014 where he can avoid press coverage and be used in motion \u2014 Legette should be able to provide quality production opposite McMillan and Coker.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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\u2019s where he can up his stock.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The Panthers mainly used Brazzell as McMillan\u2019s fill-in at \u201cX\u201d receiver<\/a> in the spring. While that usage could have been more about McMillan\u2019s absence than Brazzell\u2019s role, Legette got the bulk of the \u201cZ\u201d receiver looks during OTAs.<\/p>\n

Read more Fayetteville, NC, man identified as U.S. soldier killed in Iran war<\/a><\/p>\n

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\u2019s opportunity to be featured early a bit murky.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Mike Kaye<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

In an ideal world, the Carolina Panthers wouldn\u2019t have a competition like this to speak of. McMillan would be the team\u2019s No. 1 wideout and play the \u201cX.\u201d Coker would spell out somewhere in the slot. And Legette, with his impressive linear speed and DK Metcalf-like strength, would be the \u201cZ\u201d receiver, furnishing the deep threat the Panthers desperately need.<\/p>\n

But this isn\u2019t an ideal world.<\/p>\n

I still believe in Legette. I\u2019m 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\u2019s reliable in the red zone. He\u2019s accountable. He\u2019s focused for a big jump in Year 3.<\/p>\n

The only issue with all this is that Brazzell is a really compelling prospect<\/a>. The coaching staff thinks this. The front office does too. He\u2019s explosive. He\u2019s used to creating big plays. He has an underrated route-running ability, scouts say.<\/p>\n

And he\u2019s 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 \u2014 someone who can expand the horizons of Young, who is one of the best deep passers, statistically, in the game. (He is \u2014 he just needs more attempts!<\/a>)<\/p>\n

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?<\/p>\n

Read more The Morrison YMCA sale is a hard choice, not a betrayal | Opinion<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2013 Alex Zietlow<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

What do you think? Give us your thoughts in this poll below.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Carolina Panthers beat writers Mike Kaye and Alex Zietlow are unraveling the team\u2019s top competitions for 2026 training camp. Next up, No. 3 wide receiver spot.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3584,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3585","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-read-todays-edition"],"yoast_head":"\nMaking cases for Legette, Brazzell in Carolina Panthers\u2019 wide receiver battle - \u0421harlotte Relocation Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=3585\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Making cases for Legette, Brazzell in Carolina Panthers\u2019 wide receiver battle - \u0421harlotte Relocation Guide\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Carolina Panthers beat writers Mike Kaye and Alex Zietlow are unraveling the team\u2019s top competitions for 2026 training camp. 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