Chiefs trade up and select Texas WR Xavier Worthy: full reaction, and how he fits
The Chiefs made a surprising move in the first round by trading up to pick Xavier Worthy. Let's delve into the events that led to this trade and how he will complement the offensive scheme.
The Chiefs selected Xavier Worthy from Texas as the 28th pick in the first round. Obviously, at this point, you already know this; otherwise, you wouldn't be reading these words.
To grab the speedy WR, the Chiefs conducted a small trade-up with the Buffalo Bills, a team that really should wait to pick up the phone when Brett Veach calls. But let's refocus on the main point. Included here are the trade terms and the exchanged "value."Â
In a deal with the Buffalo Bills, the Chiefs traded up four spots to pick Worthy. Buffalo received picks 32, 95, and 221 in exchange for picks 28, 133, and 248. The Chiefs were excited to add another elite pass catcher to their roster, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding second-year player Rashee Rice. In other words, the Chiefs direly needed another playmaker.
Speaking to the media, assistant general manager Mike Borgonzi revealed the Chiefs were contacting other teams to secure an earlier pick and draft the fast wideout.
"Having six quarterbacks go within the top 12 picks... 1984 would've been the last time?" Borgonzi began. "We knew it was quarterbacks, it was receivers, it was tackles and there was going to be a run on these guys. Tackles went off the board, probably at 20 [or] 21, that we were kind of focused on. With Worthy, we were waiting for him. We tried to trade up earlier for him in the 20s and got him a little bit later."
It is indisputable that both parties are satisfied with the choice. Worthy's excitement during draft week could exceed that of the team, as shown by his Instagram message to the Chiefs' team account: “Just two more days!" In Worthy, Kansas City is acquiring the quickest player from the 2024 class and someone who shattered the record for the fastest 40-yard dash ever.
Although Worthy's speed is impressive, there is more to him than just that. The ex-Longhorn demonstrates exceptional ball-tracking skills and consistently maintains his speed throughout the play. With his quickness, length, and football intelligence, he is poised to significantly impact the Chiefs' offense and help them bounce back in 2024.
The Breakdown
At the NFL combine, Worthy, standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 165 pounds, broke the record for the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.21 seconds. He ranks third in school history with 26 touchdown receptions and fourth in career receiving yards with 2,755. In 2023, he notched 75 catches for 1,014 yards and scored five touchdowns, showcasing his remarkable talent.
Worthy was recognized as a second-team All-American in 2023 for his exceptional skills as a return specialist, leading the FBS in punt return yards. Additionally, he was recognized as a first-team All-Big 12 player for his wide receiver and return specialist skills. Worthy was the top receiver for the Longhorns in all three seasons and never missed a game.
How will he fit in with the Chiefs?
Have you heard of Tyreek Hill? If you have watched any football over almost the past decade, then you would know how electrifying he is as a player. Over the years, the Chiefs have consistently prioritized fast receivers with explosive playmaking abilities. This focus on speed and explosiveness remained even when Hill was absent, and it has continued with the addition of players like Rashee Rice.Â
Of course, being paired with Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, who mainly attracts attention in the middle of the field and is sometimes double-teamed, Worthy has the potential to break this offense open with his rare 4.21 speed. The few knocks on Worthy are that he weighed in at 165 at the combine and that Marquise Brown and Worthy are in the same WR group; size and play strength could be issues. But Worthy isn’t a one-trick pony; he has a ridiculous amount of upside in Reid’s scheme with his vertical ability and RAC value, and given the uncertainty surrounding Rashee Rice, this move makes even more sense. Putting on 10 pounds or so would put that other negative knock on him that he is too small to play in the NFL to rest.
The Chiefs' decision to select Worthy in the draft is both sensible and thrilling. He is the fastest player on the team's roster, and with Marquise "Hollywood" Brown by his side, he should assist Mahomes in connecting on deep passes more frequently, which was lacking in last season's offense.
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At least they have a guy who can catch