It seemed like the Carolina Panthers were going to have a tough time identifying depth at the wide receiver position following the season-ending injury to rookie Chris Brazzell II. In fact, it turned out to the the opposite, creating quite the dilemma for general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales going into the final week of the preseason.

Multiple wide receivers have been standing out for the Panthers through three preseason games, setting up for a tough decision when cutdown day arrives on Sunday.

Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker are locked in as long-term options for this offense, while questions remain about Xavier Legette’s future. As for the depth in the room, Brycen Tremayne has a spot on the roster with his special teams value and Ja’seem Reed emerged as a strong option at the position.

That leaves Jimmy Horn Jr., John Metchie III, David Moore, and Roc Taylor battling for the final spot on the roster. It’s a good problem to have, but the surplus opens the possibility of exploring a trade this week to address a lingering hole on defense at linebacker.

Potential trade options for the Carolina Panthers to flip a WR for a starting-caliber LB

Miami Dolphins desperation at WR could be a win-win solution

Panthers get: Tyrel Dodson
Dolphins get: Xavier Legette

The Miami Dolphins’ linebacker room is one of the few stuffed position groups on their 2026 roster. Between newly extended All-Pro Jordyn Brooks, second-round rookie Jacob Rodriguez, fourth-round rookie Kyle Louis, and veterans Tyrel Dodson & Ronnie Harrison? This group has a math problem.

Head coach Jeff Hafley has preached the need for athletes who can play in space on the second level this offseason. And while both returning starters in Brooks & Dodson can, Dodson is a better downhill thumper and is in a contract year. Miami, of course, drafted two linebackers early this offseason. So I would suspect Dodson could be had. Flipping him for a toolsy wide receiver like Xavier Legette would give Miami another, big & physical pass catcher who could attack downfield. Miami is leaning into size in their skill group and Legette feels like a possible fit. – Kyle Crabbs, A to Z Sports Miami

New York Giants look to add a big-bodied target for Jaxson Dart

Panthers get: Micah McFadden
Giants get: Xavier Legette, 6th-round pick

Micah McFadden re-signed with the Giants this offseason on a one-year, $3.75 million deal after barely playing in 2025 because of a foot injury. However, he played 67 percent of the defensive snaps and 16 percent of the special teams snaps back in 2024, so there’s value here. But the Giants drafted Arvell Reese and signed Tremaine Edmunds in free agency, which means there’s now room to explore this type of deal.

The Giants badly need more talent at wide receiver, to a point where they were willing to sign veteran guys like Odell Beckham Jr. and JuJu Smith-Schuster (who’s not on the roster anymore) to help Jaxson Dart. Xavier Legette wouldn’t necessarily solve those issues, but his combination of size and speed could help create another layer to the offensive structure. – Wendell Ferreira, A to Z Sports New York

Houston Texans reunite with John Metchie III after losing Jayden Higgins

Panthers get: Marte Mapu
Texans get: John Metchie III, 7th-round pick

The Houston Texans suffered a major blow on offense last week after losing Jayden Higgins for the season due to a torn ACL. Houston brought in two veterans to get through the rest of the preseason in Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones, however Texans beat writer Jonathan Alexander noted those signings would preclude Houston from a trade.

With the Texans and Panthers set to meet up later this week for a joint practice and a preseason game, there could be something brewing here. One name to watch is John Metchie III, who started his career in Houston and has a connection with C.J. Stroud.

As for which LB Houston could send back, the Texans have already locked up Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’oTo’o. Injuries have also impacted this position looking at E.J. Speed, Wade Woodaz, and Jake Hansen. If DeMeco Ryans gets confidence in his remaining options this week, Marte Mapu could be a bubble player that gets flipped again.