Saints Draft Prospect: SEC Wideout Has The Upside To Develop Quickly Out Of NFL Draft

This SEC wideout could be a Day 2 NFL draft sleeper after a breakout senior season.

South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Xavier Legette after a reception against the Clemson Tigers / Credit:© David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr and new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak will have some nice weapons to work with in 2024. Alvin Kamara leads a potentially strong backfield that also includes Kendre Miller, Jamaal Williams, and the versatile Taysom Hill, who's listed at a tight end spot with Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau. Wideouts Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and A.T. Perry are a playmaking trio capable of threatening defenses in multiple ways.

One thing perhaps missing, other than a capable offensive line, is depth at the receiver position. Specifically, a physical pass catcher capable of dominating the intermediate zones. Michael Thomas was that player. However, Thomas missed 48 games over the last four years and had an unceremonious split with the team this offseason.

Perry is a big receiver (6'5" and 205-Lbs.), but doesn't play with the physicality that Thomas did. With just five wideouts currently under contract on the roster, most believe that the Saints will add a couple more through the draft or as undrafted rookies. Expect at least one of those to be a bigger receiver.

Sep 2, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Xavier Legette / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Xavier Legette, WR - South Carolina; 6'1" & 221-Lbs

After starring as a quarterback and wide receiver at Mullins High School in South Carolina, Xavier Legette stayed in state with the Gamecocks. He'd contribute little in his first four years, catching a total of 42 passes in 41 games between 2019 and 2022.

As a senior last season, Legette erupted into one of the more productive receivers in the SEC. He caught 71 passes for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns, finishing second in the SEC in yardage and third in receptions. He'd finish the year as a 2nd Team All-SEC selection.

Legette brings ideal measurables of size and excellent speed to the position. He uses that size very well on contested throws and is also a capable blocker on the outside. Strong hands and good positioning made Legette a reliable receiver in traffic.

Tremendous leaping ability and body control gives Legette a huge advantage when high-pointing passes. He has good speed, but also shows an extra gear to get separation. He'll maintain top speed on his route breaks and has explosive open field skills after the catch. Legette has flashed agility and upper body fakes give him the ability to slip press coverage at the line of scrimmage.

South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Xavier Legette (17) pulls in a touchdown pass against the Kentucky Wildcats / Credit:© Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Only one season of production out of five is a big concern about Legette coming into the draft. Until his senior year, the production just simply didn't match the talent. Despite five years of collegiate experience, Legette still needs vast improvement on his coverage recognition. This is especially the case against zones and ability to adjust his routes on hot reads.

Legette must show that he can handle an expanded NFL route tree. He'll need to show that he can beat the press on a consistent basis. Legette also must disguise his routes better, which would give him an even bigger advantage with his speed.

Xavier Legette is projected to be a Day 2 draft choice, perhaps as early as the second round. This is based more off his speed and measurables rather than collegiate production. Nevertheless, Legette offers the immediate impact of a vertical threat, with the promising upside of a number two wideout that would also excel through the intermediate zones.