49ers Eye Bold Trade for Panthers’ Rising Star Xavier Legette

The San Francisco 49ers are sitting at 2-0, but anyone paying close attention knows this isn’t exactly a smooth ride. While the scoreboard says undefeated, the wide receiver room tells a more complicated story. Kyle Shanahan’s offense is humming along, but it’s doing so with a patchwork group of pass-catchers—and that’s not a sustainable formula for a team with deep playoff aspirations.

Let’s start with the depth chart. Brandon Aiyuk has yet to suit up this season as he works his way back from a knee issue.

Jauan Jennings is also banged up, showing up on the injury report with lingering issues. Demarcus Robinson is out of the picture entirely due to suspension.

That’s left Shanahan leaning hard on rookie Ricky Pearsall and rotating in veterans like Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kendrick Bourne, and Skyy Moore. It’s a thin unit—talented, but not deep—and it’s being tested early.

That lack of depth has pushed the 49ers into trade conversations, and one name that’s started to surface is Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette. According to reports, Legette is among the top trade candidates heading into Week 3, and San Francisco is a logical landing spot. The idea is simple: get a big-bodied receiver who can hold down the fort until Aiyuk and Jennings return—and maybe contribute beyond that.

Legette’s rookie season wasn’t eye-popping, but it wasn’t cause for concern either. He had 49 catches for 497 yards and four touchdowns last year in a Carolina offense that struggled to find rhythm.

He’s still raw in some areas, but the tools are undeniable. At 6-foot-3, 227 pounds, with 4.39 speed, Legette brings a rare blend of size and athleticism.

He’s tough after the catch, willing to block, and under team control through 2027 with a cap hit under $3 million in 2025—a major plus for a San Francisco roster already loaded with high-end contracts.

This season, Legette’s production has been minimal—just four catches on 15 targets for eight yards. But context matters.

Carolina’s offense hasn’t improved much, and Legette hasn’t had many clean opportunities to showcase his ability. Still, for the 49ers, this isn’t about landing a No. 1 receiver.

They’re looking for a physical presence who can win on the outside, move the chains, and give Brock Purdy a reliable target while the top guys heal up.

There’s talk of a conditional third-round pick as the asking price, potentially escalating to a second-rounder based on performance. That’s not a small investment, but it’s a calculated one.

For Carolina, moving Legette could open up more snaps for rookie receiver McMillan. For San Francisco, it adds a much-needed layer to a thin position group without breaking the bank.

You also have to consider the bigger picture. The 49ers haven’t hesitated to make bold moves—just look at the recent decision to move on from kicker Jake Moody. This front office is aggressive when it comes to maximizing the roster, and if they see Legette as a fit, they won’t shy away from pulling the trigger.

Bottom line: Legette isn’t a savior, but he could be the right piece at the right time. If Shanahan believes he can unlock the receiver’s potential in this system, the move could pay dividends—both in the short term and beyond.