Key Takeaways:
– Kansas City Chiefs selected wide receiver Xavier Worthy 28th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
– Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs’ quarterback, is said to have shown a keen interest in Worthy from this year’s talent pool.
– Worthy is fast, clocking a record 4.21 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
– Despite lacking the typical size, Worthy’s speed and route-direction skills make up for this shortcoming.
– Worthy joins a robust Chiefs offensive lineup set to leverage his quickness and tactical ability.
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs’ After Xavier Worthy
The Kansas City Chiefs moved up to secure Texas wide receiver, Xavier Worthy, as the 28th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Despite the fact that four wide receivers had already been chosen, ESPN’s Jason Reid states that Worthy was the player that Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes had been particularly interested in.
Worthy, a speedster with a record 4.21 seconds in the 40-yard dash, also commanded attention for his route-direction aptitude. His skills are expected to complement and bolster the Chiefs’ offensive setup.
Worthy’s Unique Skills Add To Chiefs’ Arsenal
Sadly, Worthy’s physical frame doesn’t reflect the typical wide receiver physique. At 6-foot-1 and 165 pounds, he nonetheless makes up for his size with exceptional speed and route-direction skills. This combination allows him to exploit openings downfield, regardless of the coverage.
Moreover, Worthy’s superior ball-tracking ability and flexibility to perform on in- and out-breaking routes make him more versatile than just a speed-focused receiver. In his last season at Texas in 2023, stats from Sports Reference show he successfully garnered 1,014 receiving yards, 75 receptions, and 5 receiving touchdowns.
Chiefs Ready to Leverage Worthy
Akthough Worthy needs to work on improving his size, the Chiefs appear poised to unlock his potential. They plan to innovate ways to make him an immediate influencer in the NFL akin to how they utilized Tyreek Hill. Worthy’s entry to the Chiefs’ receiving room introduces him to a line-up already boasting talent like Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Rashee Rice, Kadarius Toney, and others.
Worthy Excited About Joining Chiefs
In a media interaction held on May 4, Worthy expressed his enthusiasm about adapting to a new offensive format with the Chiefs. “It’s been fun, learning the new offense and seeing how they run stuff, and just getting the flow of things,” he said. Worthy found the Chiefs’ playbook similar to Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian’s strategies, and he looks forward to playing in this offense.
The Chiefs’ next scheduled event is the Organized Team Activities (OTAs) set to commence from May 20 to May 22.