2024 Dynasty Rookie Profile: Xavier Legette, WR

In the 2024 rookie draft class, there is a consensus top three guys that both NFL teams and dynasty managers are hoping they can grab for the long term. After those first few players, there’s plenty of discussion to be had when it comes to rounding out the top 10. However, there is one player that has routinely left me just whispering “wow” under my breath while reviewing their tape. South Carolina’s Xavier Legette is looking more like a draft-day steal every passing day. Continue reading and I’ll break down his outlook in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. 

Legette, a three-star recruit out of South Carolina’s Mullins High, played five years of college ball at South Carolina. Ultimately, he finished his 2023 campaign with 71 catches totaling 1,255 yards and 7 touchdowns. He’s a physical wideout with game-breaking speed. Additionally, he’s acrobatic going for the ball, able to use all of that big frame to make highlight-reel grabs. Legette is a player who looks rough in terms of traditional metrics. However, he can certainly surprise folks come Draft Day. 

Xavier Legette (WR) University of South Carolina – Dynasty Rookie Profile

Height: 6’3

Weight: 225

Strengths

Great Break Away Speed

One of the first clips I saw of Legette was against Mississippi State, where he took a slant route to the house for 76 yards. It was as though he had rockets strapped to his shoes that erupted the minute he looked upfield.  A dude at 6’3’’ shouldn’t move that fast, and yet here is Legette blowing by the competition. Legette runs a 4.29 40-speed that can easily threaten deep routes at the NFL level. We will wait to see a more official combine time for his 40. However, don’t be surprised to see his name pop up during the pre-draft process as one of the top runners in the receiving class. 

True Alpha Receiver Build

Much fellow draft prospect Keon Coleman, Legette is a big receiver who offers a wide catch radius for his quarterback. He has a great vertical that allows him to get over defenders for those contested catches. Despite some drop problems in the past, Legette showcased his improved hands in 2023. We already mentioned how dang fast this guy is, he just checks all of the physical boxes for a receiver who can easily ascend as a top option on an NFL roster.  

Great Production on a Weak Team

It truly is a double-edged sword to play in an elite conference like the SEC. On one hand, you are always playing against the best of the best that the NCAA has to offer, giving players the biggest stage in college football. On the other, a team can easily find themselves in over their head and look bad against the onslaught of prospective NFL stars. Not to mention, the 5-7 Gamecocks certainly found themselves drowning.

Despite the rough season overall, Legette found a way to put together a fantastic season in terms of offensive production. 70+ catches and 1200+ against some of the top defenders in the country is an impressive accomplishment. He posted multiple 100+ receiving games in 2023, including a monster game against UNC and a 217-yard effort against Jacksonville State. While it is a bit disingenuous to say that JVST is elite competition, what we shouldn’t ignore is how Legette came through and excelled against a weaker team, rather than disappearing.    

Weaknesses

Late Breakout Age

Legette enters the draft as a senior which doesn’t necessarily bring excitement to NFL scouts. Typically elite receivers break out far earlier in their collegiate career. Not that it’s a fair comparison, but Marvin Harison Jr broke out in 2022 with over 1,200 yards. Once the previous class was gone, Harrison had the chance to excel and took it.

Furthermore, Legette never had that elite talent to overcome and still waited until his senior year to make some noise. It signals to drafters that this receiver was unable to battle through the depth chart and force himself onto the field. The arrival of Spencer Rattler helped quite a bit, but there is some concern that Legette might be slow to arrive for NFL teams. 

Questions on Questions – How Real Is This One Season?

A cop out “weakness”? Maybe, but ultimately when a prospect has a single year of relevant production on a weaker team, it really should raise some eyebrows. His stat line is great, but is Legette a guy who can reproduce that performance? He was a pure volume guy and Rattler’s only target on that offense. What happens when he needs to share playing with another elite receiving option? When Antwane “Juice” Wells was active in 2022, Legette was nearly invisible. NFL teams just don’t know which version of Legette they are getting when they spend that second-round capital. 

NFL Fit and Draft Capitol

In a loaded wide receiver class, Legette is projected to land somewhere in the second round of the NFL draft. It would be shocking to see Legette move any higher up draft boards considering the talent around him. A strong NFL Combine result could lock in an early second-round selection for the receiver out of South Carolina. Legette needs a team that drastically needs a third option from day one. Legette still needs some work on his technique and would benefit from a wide receiver room with some solid veteran presence.  

Dynasty Outlook

Xavier Legette is a player who can easily be one of the most exciting players to watch in his rookie season. He has that extra gear that turns routine plays into something big. For fantasy football and dynasty purposes, this is exactly the type of prospect that is exciting to have on your roster. At the right price, of course. 

Moreover, Legette needs a couple of things to go right for him to come through as a valuable fantasy football asset. If he reaches his potential as a big, playmaking receiver in the NFL that you drafted in the second round, you’ll be patting yourself on the back about an excellent draft decision. However, if he doesn’t pan out right away, at least you didn’t miss on a first-rounder. 

2024 NFL Draft Quick Links

• Senior Bowl Invite Tracker
• 2024 NFL Draft Eligible Prospects Returning to School
• 2024 NFL Draft Tracker: Underclassman Who Have Declared

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