CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers’ practice ended on a good note for the offense Wednesday when Xavier Legette went up to snatch a Bryce Young pass in the end zone.But it was a less dramatic play earlier in practice the Panthers hope is the product of a renewed focus from Legette and a sign of things to come in his third season. Facing cornerback Corey Thornton in one-on-one drills, Legette ran an out route, caught Young’s throw around waist level and tapped both his toes inbounds for a clean reception.Too often early in Legette’s career, the first-rounder seemed to be unaware of the situation or where he was on the field, resulting in botched plays or incompletions like one in the 2025 season opener at Jacksonville when he failed to get a second foot down despite having plenty of room to do so.“I had a couple mishaps where I would step on the line and I was out of bounds last year,” he said.Can Derrick Brown unlock Carolina Panthers' potential?Legette, the former South Carolina wideout who was the 32nd pick in the 2024 draft, heard the criticism of what looked like lackadaisical play his first two seasons. And he took steps over the offseason to be more “honed in,” a phrase he used twice Wednesday while speaking with reporters.As part of that process, Legette ended each of his offseason workouts with a series of boundary catches, much like his sideline snag Wednesday against Thornton. Panthers coach Dave Canales has noticed a difference.“What I’ve seen him do is just make great plays on the boundary, back of the end zone, just some of those spatial plays where he can go attack the ball, find a way to get his feet down,” Canales said. “He’s really attacked that part of his game. That’s something I’ve seen him really improve on.”Some of the spatial — and self — awareness might have stemmed from seeing two other young receivers lap him on the depth chart and the drafting of another wideout. While Tetairoa McMillan was the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2025, former undrafted free-agent Jalen Coker took over the WR2 spot from Legette with a strong finish.With his sculpted 6-foot-3 frame and good straightaway speed, Legette has always looked the part of an NFL receiver. But his route-running and ball skills don’t appear to come as naturally as they do for McMillan, for example.Former Panthers’ Pro Bowl wideout Steve Smith, who attended Sunday’s practice with an NFL Network crew, at one point stretched his arms out as a reminder for Legette to catch balls away from his body. A few days later, after Legette’s hands catch wrapped up Wednesday’s work, a reporter asked him if the play would help boost his confidence.“I ain’t never lost my confidence in any way,” Legette said. “Just trying to continue to make plays like that throughout the season and have a good year.”Xavier Legette saw his targets, receptions and yardage all decrease in his second NFL season a year ago. (Jim Dedmon / Imagn Images)That said, Legette realized he had to do things differently. He worked out as many as four times a day, dropped some weight and revised his offseason regimen to try to “bulletproof” his hamstrings after dealing with soft-tissue issues in the past.He flew out west three times to attend throwing workouts with Young, McMillan and other receivers, including a summer session in Los Angeles after OTAs. Besides improving their timing, Legette said hanging out with Young has helped him be more communicative with his quarterback.“I’m talking to him a little more, going up to him and asking him things like how he feels about this and (does) he like this? Am I in the right spot?” Legette said. “So we’re getting it right.”All of this feels like progress for a player who saw his targets decrease from 84 as a rookie to 64 last year, when his receptions (from 49 to 35) and receiving yards (497 to 363) also dipped.“I feel like X is more dialed in on everything, from his body to his craft. I feel like as we go through life, you go through trials and tribulations and it’s up to you to grow through it,” second-year receiver Jimmy Horn said.“And I feel like X was going through a phase where God took him through some things during the season. And I feel like he’s taking advantage of the opportunity he’s getting now and taking things more serious.”Legette faced scrutiny early last season. In a Week 2 loss at Arizona, Legette finished with minus-2 yards on eight targets, only the second time in NFL history a player managed negative receiving yards on at least eight targets.Compounding matters, Legette walked back toward the line of scrimmage with the Panthers in hurry-up mode at the end of the first half. Legette’s lack of urgency gave officials time to review a catch by Ja’Tavion Sanders, which was overruled and forced the Panthers to punt. The Cardinals then tacked on a touchdown before halftime.“Stuff like that can get you benched,” Legette said. “I just can’t do stuff like that.”After losing third-round pick Chris Brazzell to a season-ending knee surgery during training camp, the Panthers could use a bounce-back year from Legette. Canales said Legette looks explosive and comfortable in the scheme.Legette, Young and the rest of the first-team offense will make their preseason debuts Saturday at Buffalo. There will be bigger tests to come, but the exhibition gives Legette another chance to show Young, Canales and the organization he can be counted on.“I just had to take a step back. I felt like I was probably a little too loose,” Legette said. “I just had to take a step back and focus on the main thing, for real.”