Why the Panthers selected one of the most pro-ready wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft

It was always going to happen for the Carolina Panthers. 

Minutes before midnight in Thursday's first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Panthers struck up a trade with the Buffalo Bills to nab the last pick in the first round and select Xavier Legette out of the University of South Carolina. 

The trade into the first round to select Legette was massive, as it gives the Panthers the all-important fifth-year option on a player Dan Morgan and Dave Canales are head over heels for. 

As for the reason behind the Panthers' selecting Legette, well, that goes a bit further than merely his 6-foot-1 frame and insane athleticism. 

"You know, besides the player, we love Xavier," Morgan said, via the Panthers' official team website. "Everything he bought, not, not only as a person but as a player, like his ability to attack the ball when it's in the air, his ability to run with it after the catch. It's just big, he's strong, he's physical.

"I think he has a lot of upside. So, we wanted to take that opportunity to go get our guy."

Several expected Legette to be in a Panthers uniform after the draft. The No. 32 selection spilled last week that he was told by the Panthers he would be selected if he were still available at the franchise's selection. 

At first, Canales balked at the idea – claiming the Panthers told 50 players the same thing. But that ultimately wasn't the complete truth. 

Carolina liked Legette. He is somewhat of a hometown name, dawning from Mullins, South Carolina. 

He is versatile as a pass catcher and a returner, though Morgan and Canales stressed that Legette's primary function would be in the receiving game. 

His only full season as an every-game starter at South Carolina was one where he finally blew up. He pulled down 71 passes for 1,255 yards – a 17.7-yard average – and seven touchdowns.