Brazzell (knee) to have season-ending surgery

The Panthers’ season starts in less than seven weeks, so it’s safe to assume Brazzell won’t be on the field for their opener. As a rookie, the lack of training camp reps will also be more meaningful for him. Brazzell was supposed to contend with Xavier Legette for the final starting role in three-receiver sets, but that is now out of the question. He is no longer on the season-long radar for fantasy purposes, though dynasty managers can still leave a light on for some late-season production.

Brazell, the 83rd overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft out of Tennessee, missed a couple recent practices in knee soreness. Canales said the team’s training staff is looking into the injury. A field stretcher in college, Brazell would likely be a situational player in Carolina if he’s fully healthy to begin the regular season. He should remain on waiver wires, however.

McMillan was a limited participant in spring practices due to a foot issue. As of June 10th, he was hoping to be ready for training camp. As of yesterday, that was indeed the case, which is great to hear. McMillan, 23, took home Offensive Rookie of the Year honors last year via a 70/1,014/7 receiving line. He aims to build on that this season, and NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reported yesterday that the team hopes to have McMillan run routes from the slot “a lot more” this year.

Per Wolfe, McMillan lined up in the slot on 15.0 percent of snaps last season — PFF lists him at 15.5 percent — and the Panthers plan to “double that, if not more.” Getting more opportunities to run routes against safeties and linebackers is always a good thing for fantasy purposes. Wolfe adds that McMillan added “about 8-10 pounds” this offseason, which could help him muscle through traffic over the middle. He finished as the PPR WR16 last year. Upping his slot work increases his odds of beating that finish this year.

Legette, who faded into WR3/4 territory last season in the run-heavy Carolina offense, has appeared more interested in the details of being a professional wide receiver over the past few months, according to Young and head coach Dave Canales. “[Legette] is putting in the time in the playbook,” Canales told reporters this week. “He’s busting his butt on the field, working on little technical skills.” Legette had a meager 35 receptions for 363 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games last season. He’ll remain a potential trade candidate this summer after the Panthers selected Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell in the third round of the 2026 draft.

McMillan has been in and out of practice during OTAs. He told reporters that he feels good now, though that was after missing today’s practice. McMillan played through a foot injury late in the 2025 season. It didn’t cost him any time, but it’s still slightly concerning that the issue hasn’t gone away entirely. As long as McMillan is able to suit up for the start of training camp, fantasy managers should still consider the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year as a high-end WR2.

Legette is facing stiff competition for work entering training camp after the Panthers drafted Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell in the third round of this year’s draft. Legette lost the WR2 job to Jalen Coker midway through last season, and caught just 35 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games last season. Legette has a good combination of size and speed on the outside, but the fact that he was a late-career breakout in college suggested he could face an uphill battle to make an immediate impact at the next level. Legette is unlikely to have any redraft value in 2026, even if he can hold on to WR3 duties through training camp.

Per Wolfe, the Panthers have had “a great start” at organized team activities (OTAs), which is somewhat confusing because the Panthers’ first OTA session is scheduled for May 26th. Young is apparently impressing someone on the field somehow, though. Regardless, Wolfe believes the Panthers’ offseason has made them “true contenders” capable of winning 10-12 games. They have won 13 over the past two years. If Young really is stepping up his game, that is good news for WR1 Tetairoa McMillan’s potential second-year leap. He posted a 70/1,014/7 receiving line en route to earning OROY honors last year. Young has a long way to go before we can view him as anything more than a fantasy QB2. Hopefully, the positive reports continue to roll in. If the Panthers really can win double-digit games, Young will ostensibly play a key role in the effort.

The path of least resistance is that Legette cleans up “some of the things that have slowed his development” and makes the wideout rotation. But, Person posits, if he isn’t in the rotation, it would make him a possible trade candidate. Two years into his career, the Panthers have drafted a wideout in Day 1 or 2 after both seasons and have happily given Jalen Coker work over Legette. He’s not a fantasy factor at the moment.

Brazzell (6’4/198) was initially recruited to Tulane, where he broke out with 711 yards and five scores as a sophomore. That season put him on Tennessee’s radar via the portal. After transferring, Brazzell played a rotational role for a year before stepping up as the Vols’ top option. As a senior, he went for 1,017 yards and nine scores — both of which led the team — on 65 grabs. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel pinned Brazzell to the left hash and let him beat opposing corners with his size and 4.37 40-yard dash speed. Brazzell scored six of his touchdowns on throws that traveled 20 or more yards downfield, tying him for the third-most in the country. As we’ve come to expect from Tennessee wideouts, Brazzell wasn’t asked to run a diverse route tree in college. That and his slender build will likely pigeonhole him into stretch Z receiver duties at the next level. Even if that’s his ceiling in the pros, Brazzell could become a premier big-play threat early in his career.