Who Should I Start? Jordan Matthews or Xavier Legette

Thursday, May 8, 1:02 PM

The Carolina Panthers released tight end Jordan Matthews on Thursday, league sources tell The Charlotte Observer's Mike Kaye. The former wide receiver will now hit the open market after re-signing with the team in early January on a Reserve/Futures deal. The 32-year-old former second-round pick (42nd overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014 out of Vanderbilt ended up with just one target in four games played (one start) in his two seasons with Carolina the last two years. Since transitioning to a tight end, Matthews hasn't made an impact at the NFL level since leaving the Eagles with the San Francisco 49ers and Panthers. In his 10 NFL seasons, Matthews has recorded 274 catches on 423 targets for 3,288 yards and 22 touchdowns, with pretty much all of that production coming from 2014-18.

Saturday, November 8, 1:29 AM

Xavier Legette may have increased involvement in the passing game in this week's matchup against the Saints in Week 10. The Carolina WR was a non-factor last week against the Green Bay Packers, only logging one reception for 22 yards. Tetairoa McMillan was limited in Friday's practice with a hamstring injury and is questionable to start in Week 10. The rookie has been the Panthers' top receiver this season with 12.1 PPR Fantasy Points Per Game. If McMillan misses Sunday's game, Legette is likely to move up on the depth chart and become one of Bryce Young's top targets. Although Legette has not been productive for fantasy players this season, there was one notable exception: Week 7 against the Jets. In that game, Legette was the top receiver targeted as he had nine receptions for 92 yards, one receiving touchdown, and recorded 24.2 PPR fantasy points. So it is possible he could provide more fantasy production in an expanded role. Monitor McMillan's status before Sunday's game, and if he is out, consider Legette as a deeper flex play for Week 10 against the New Orleans Saints.