The 2026 NFL draft reshaped depth charts around the league, and with it came new questions about which established players will hold onto their roles. Two early-season storylines to monitor involve Xavier Legette in Carolina and Carrington Valentine in Green Bay, both of whom now face explicit competition that could cut into their snaps.
In Carolina, Xavier Legette arrives at training camp with an incumbent label at wide receiver. The addition of Chris Brazzell II — a rookie who brings excitement among coaches and observers — creates a clearer competition for targets in the passing game and for snaps on early downs. Brazzell II’s presence matters beyond simply adding depth; rookies who show comfort in route concepts, run-after-catch ability and willingness to contribute on special teams often earn expanded roles fast, particularly in offenses that emphasize situational matchups and rotations.
For Legette, the path to keeping a steady allotment of snaps will likely come down to three things: consistency in practice and preseason games, his role in the team’s schematic plans (for example, whether the offense relies heavily on certain slot or boundary alignments), and how coaches value his contributions on special teams. Incumbents who can pair reliable play in the offense with special-teams value generally protect their playing time better than those who do not.
Green Bay’s cornerback room presents a similar picture for Carrington Valentine. The arrival of Brandon Cisse adds a new option at a position where matchups, sub-packages and rotational play determine who is on the field on any given snap. Cisse, as a rookie, will be judged on his ability to assimilate the defensive playbook quickly, show coverage consistency in one-on-one situations and produce on special teams — all ways young defensive backs can leap up a depth chart.
Valentine’s standing with the Packers will hinge on his performance in press coverage, tackling and assignment discipline, particularly in nickel situations where many games are won or lost. Coaches tend to favor options who demonstrate readiness to be deployed across multiple packages; that versatility can blunt the threat of being overtaken by a newcomer.
Across both clubs, a few universal themes will determine outcomes. First, training camp and preseason reps are decisive: players who separate themselves early get more looks during fall camp and build momentum. Second, special teams remain a crucial lever for playing-time protection; rookies who excel there often carve out roster spots and meaningful snaps. Third, health and availability always influence decisions — injuries can accelerate the rise of a young player or, conversely, give an established player a chance to reassert himself.
Coaching philosophy also plays a role. Teams that prioritize development may be more willing to give a rookie sustained snaps to evaluate long-term potential, while organizations focused on immediate results may stick with known quantities. Ultimately, neither Legette nor Valentine is guaranteed his spot; both will need to demonstrate they are the best option for their respective teams when camp and preseason conclude.
Watch for how coaches allocate practice reps, which players are featured in preseason game plans, and early snaps during the regular season. Those indicators will offer the clearest picture of whether Brazzell II and Cisse can usurp snaps, or whether Legette and Valentine will hold firm as the seasons’ alignments take shape.
