It appears the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are keeping an eye on potentially adding to their already strong wide receiver group.
According to Justin Melo of the Draft Network, the Buccaneers met with South Carolina WR Xavier Legette on a Top 30 visit. Melo interviewed the former Gamecock, who told him that the Bucs were among a number of teams he met with during a busy pre-draft process.
.@GamecockFB WR Xavier Legette had 13+ pre-draft visits! Among the most in-demand prospects heading into Thurs.#Texans #Steelers #KC #LAC #Bucs #Jags #Eagles #49ers #Lions #Ravens #Colts #GB #Broncos.@XavierLegette on @TheDraftNetwork, @SixStarPro.https://t.co/ZVmHkgrM14
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 23, 2024
"I went on 14 visits altogether," Legette told Melo. "I haven’t been home very much. I went to the Texans, Pittsburgh, Chiefs, Chargers, Buccaneers, Jaguars, Eagles, San Francisco, Detroit, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Green Bay, and the Broncos. I’ve been a little bit everywhere."
Legette is an interesting player from the perspective of he hasn't appeared in many mock drafts as a first-round prospect. However, he's a player that some have projected as a potential first round talent, while others have tabbed as a third-round pick.
The Bucs could have him on their radar when they pick in the second round, which is currently the 57th overall pick. It might be a stretch for him to be on the board still when they're back on the clock in the third round at picks 89 and 92.
Last season with the Gamecocks, Legette had a breakthrough like few players you'll see in college for a fifth-year player. He caught 71 passes for 1255 yards and 7 touchdowns. Before 2023, he totaled only 42 catches for 423 yards and 5 touchdowns the previous 4 seasons.
He followed that up by testing very well at the Combine. He posted a blazing 4.39 40 yard dash and added a 40-inch vertical and 10'6" broad jump. He also has good size at 6'1", 220 pounds.
You can't have too many quality pass catchers on your roster - something the Bucs learned late in the 2021 season when the injury bug struck the wide receiver corps. As such, Legette could end up being a guy that Jason Licht turns to as a high-end WR3 early on and/or an eventual successor for Mike Evans and/or Chris Godwin down the road.
We'll find out soon enough, as the NFL Draft starts in just two days from Detroit, Michigan.
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