Xavier Worthy | Texas Longhorns 6’1” 172 Lbs April 27th, 2003 (20)
Xavier Worthy was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs, becoming the 5th wide receiver and 28th overall player selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
Xavier Worthy established himself as a household name for the Texas Longhorns as a freshman, hauling in 62 receptions for 981 yards and 12 TDs in his first taste of action. After a 760-yard, 9-TD campaign as a Sophomore, Worthy took a big step forward in his final season with 75 catches for 1,014 yards and 5 TDs, cementing his status as a 1st round WR in the NFL draft. Worthy was a legitimate producer for three straight seasons in a major conference, and should have a fairly seamless transition to the NFL game with his speed, where he will now be catching passes from Patrick Mahomes after dealing with Quinn Ewers’ inconsistencies at Texas.
FILM
Worthy’s record-breaking speed at the combine routinely shows up on the film, as it doesn’t take many reps for that elite speed to showcase itself and give opposing defenses headaches. Defensive backs have to divert additional attention to him which opens the field for his teammates, evidenced by his teammate Adonai Mitchell’s double-digit TD campaign last year lining up across from him. He can create enough separation and has shown good enough ball-tracking skills that he will be a deep threat in the NFL right away, and if you don’t bring him down in the open film on the first tackle there’s a good chance he’s taking it to the house for 6. Worthy will need to improve his release against press coverage as he can be overpowered at times and probably won’t grow into a guy that routinely makes contested catches so getting separation at the next level is a must. He projects to be a guy who will be able to improve his route tree with more reps.
ATHLETIC TESTING
Xavier Worthy was one of the biggest stars of the combine, as he ran a blistering fast 4.21 40-yard dash to shatter the all-time record. He also had an impressive 41-inch vertical and 10-foot, 11-inch long jump. Worthy is an extremely explosive athlete with loose hips who has all of the raw athletic tools to succeed at the next level.
DRAFT ANALYSIS
Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Great
Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Excellent
Worthy was selected with the 28th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
I absolutely love this pick and fit for Xavier Worthy in the Chiefs offensive attack. Worthy is the fastest player that Patrick Mahomes has played with since he was launching bombs to Tyreek Hill in his best statistical seasons. I have Worthy currently ranked as the number four wide receiver in this class regarding dynasty value, slotting in between Rome Odunze and Brian Thomas Jr. He may not grow into a true season-in, season-out top-12 number one WR, but I see him having multiple seasons as a high-level WR2 for dynasty GMs.
His best-case ceiling projects to be something similar to what we’ve seen from Devonta Smith from a fantasy perspective, with low-end WR1 finishes in spike years. NFL offenses have done a good job of incorporating smaller WRs with explosive speed and change-of-pace ability into their game plans in recent years, and Worthy projects to be the next player to enter the league in that mold. He is a true home run threat that can take it to the house any time he touches the ball and he couldn’t have landed in a better offense to highlight the strong parts of his game.
Worthy should go off the board in rookie drafts in the late first round of Superflex leagues, and a mid-first round pick in 1QB leagues.
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