The Carolina Panthers have a lot of room for improvement.
However, they had a positive first year under head coach Dave Canales.
Bryce Young looked better and more confident after struggling early in the season, and the quarterback might finally be heading in the right direction.
They gave Young a promising wideout in Xavier Legette, and while his rookie numbers were far from impressive, he has the potential to be a star.
That’s why, when asked about his new pairing with wideout Tetairoa McMillan, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Legette predicted they could be a major threat this season.
> “I mean, sure, we trying to win guys, so I mean any time you can add a masterpiece like that to what we’re trying to build, that’s great,” Legette [said](https://www.panthers.com/news/xavier-legette-spent-his-offseason-looking-backward-in-order-to-move-forward). “Oh man, I feel like it’s going to be a problem either way. I mean, I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a 1 or 2. I feel like it’s going to be either side they look at. They’re going to have to deal with both sides.”
Legette finished his rookie season with 49 receptions for 497 yards and four touchdowns.
He didn’t create a lot of separation or showcase the big-play potential he showed in college.
That shouldn’t be an issue with McMillan.
He closed out his college career with 84 receptions for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns last season, earning an All-America selection and attracting the attention of NFL scouts.
There are still plenty of reasons to doubt the Panthers’ quarterback situation, as it’s not like Young will suddenly grow a couple of inches.
Then again, Canales has proven to be a successful offensive-minded coach and, more importantly, a bit of a quarterback guru, so perhaps he’ll be able to bring the best out of Young in a second full season and with an improved group of pass catchers.
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