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The final two entries of the Rising Stars of the Carolina Panthers series will be dedicated to the players on each side of the football who, while compelling in their own way, have not quite done enough to qualify as a ‘star’. Those who have had an eyebrow-raising game or two, but for one reason or another, their career has left a lot of unanswered questions.
Mitchell Evans and JT Sanders | Tight End
While both Evans and Sanders could have their own dedicated section, their story in the NFL so far and why they don’t qualify as a rising star are too similar not to bunch together. First and foremost, the tight end position is notoriously a difficult position for players to shine in during the first handful of years in the NFL. Both Day 3 draft picks from the previous two drafts, there is no shame in these two not already having a breakout season. Each player has had their moments where they look like they could be a long-term contributor to a productive offense, but it doesn’t look like NFL stardom is likely.
Of the two, Evans is the more steady player that looks to be where he should be when he’s expected to be there. No more, but thankfully no less. Evans doesn’t excel in anyone area, but can be fill in wherever he’s needed – even at quarterback.
Meanwhile, Sanders’ trajectory has been a bit of a roller coaster. Prior to a concussion versus the Kansas City Chiefs in his rookie year, Sanders had a stretch of making phenomenal plays, especially in contested catch situations. Since then, his production has been underwhelming. After receiving a fair bit of offseason hype, his 2025 season left many wanting more. Here’s hoping he can be a bit of a post-hype sleeper for the Panthers in 2026.
Jonathon Brooks | Running Back
After trading back in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Panthers loved Brooks enough to trade up a few spots to ensure they could secure his services – despite the young back still rehabbing a torn ACL from his final season in college. He would only get 23 snaps in his rookie year before re-tearing the same ACL and missing out on the final month of the 2024 season and his entire 2025 season.
However, those 23 snaps were really something in such a limited sample. Still only 22 years old, Brooks looked explosive and talented in his brief appearance and has done just enough to generate some cautious optimism regarding his future. Fingers crossed that nearly 21 months of rehab, recovery, and sitting in RB team meetings will have the former top 50 draft pick ready to make his mark.
Xavier Legette | Wide Receiver
Legette’s career thus far has been incredibly frustrating, and that’s putting it lightly. While being an likable personality to root for, the on-field mistakes occur far too often and are far too costly to justify continued playing time. Dropping catchable passes, awkward body catch attempts that negate the ability for YAC, near zero sideline awareness, the mistakes stand out like a sore thumb.
Yet, he sports a 6’1, 220lb frame that can hit 4.39 40 yard dash and gets open more often than he gets credit for. Legette has exemplary moments, like winning 1-on-1 against a defensive player of the year cornerback, but the low points of his game make it hard to justify playing time, especially when the likes of Jalen Coker were sitting behind him waiting for an opportunity. Legette still has the luxury of being a first round pick, so he’ll get more time than most young players to prove his worth. The clock is ticking, though.