Patriots Rumors: Panthers Traded Ahead of NE for Xavier Legette in 2024 NFL Draft

The New England Patriots were reportedly targeting wide receiver Xavier Legette in the second round before the Carolina Panthers traded up to No. 32 overall to select the South Carolina product.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the Patriots scrambled to trade out of the No. 34 pick after Legette's selection, eventually reaching a deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. New England would take Washington receiver Ja'Lynn Polk at No. 37 overall.

According to Fowler, Legette was "a bit higher" on the Patriots' draft board than Polk, who was WR6 or WR7 on their board.

Legette had an anonymous college career at South Carolina until breaking out in 2023. He recorded 71 receptions for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns, nearly doubling his output from his first four seasons combined.

Teams largely ignored Legette's late-breakout status in favor of his prodigious physical tools. Legette has been compared to DK Metcalf from a physical standpoint, though he is a bit shorter at 6'1". Still, he is chiseled of muscle at 221 pounds and put up a 4.39-second time in the 40-yard dash and 40-inch vertical leap at the combine.

"A year ago, I wasn't on anybody's board, but I never let that get to me. I knew I had another year," Legette said after being drafted.

While it's fair to note he wasn't on draft boards a year ago, this year it appears he was pretty high on at least two boards.