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New WR battle named Panthers' most important training camp competition
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- New WR battle named Panthers' most important training camp competition
Going into training camp, the most critical position battle for the Carolina Panthers was supposed to be the left tackle competition between veteran Rasheed Walker and first-round pick Monroe Freeling. But fate had other ideas, as longtime starting right tackle Taylor Moton was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung—a development that has kicked Freeling over to Moton's spot and, effectively, ended that battle on the blindside.
But another major injury has bred another competition.
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Last Wednesday, rookie wideout Chris Brazzell II went down with an LCL tear . The third-rounder will now miss the entirety of the 2026 campaign, and his setback may have given way to a fresh matchup for the No. 3 spot in the receiver room.
ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler lists that fight—between Xavier Legette and David Moore —as Carolina's biggest position battle of the summer. Fowler writes:
Legette, a first-round pick in 2024, entered camp with heat on him after a subpar start to his pro career. This camp, Letette is well-positioned to win the third receiver job opposite Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker . The Panthers view Legette at his best when playing fast, and they don't want to overload his plate as a result. But Moore has been with head coach Dave Canales and offensive coordinator Brad Idzik every step of the way, from Seattle to Tampa Bay to Carolina. He is trusted and reliable. If Legette slips, Moore -- who should have a role regardless -- can step into a larger one.
Legette took a step backwards in his second season with the Panthers—seeing dips in production across the board with 35 catches for 363 yards and four touchdowns. He also experienced a decrease in playing time, as his snap share fell —from week-to-week—over the final four games of the regular season.
Moore has consistently ranked as one of the league's worst receivers, at least when it comes to creating separation. He peaked in 2018 with the Seattle Seahawks , when he posted 26 catches, 445 yards and five touchdowns—but just a 37.7-percent success rate and a 49.1-percent catch rate.
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Hopefully, Legette will break out of his funk and finally start living up to the potential that made him a first-rounder in 2024. Or, perhaps another receiver like John Metchie III or Jimmy Horn Jr. can surprise us and break into the starting rotation with Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker.
With no proven pass-catching threats at tight end or running back, the Panthers need somebody to step up and help those two.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: New WR battle named Panthers' most important training camp competition
