The Kansas City Chiefs traded up in the 2024 draft to select the 20 year old Xavier Worthy from Texas. They traded up from the No. 32 slot to No 28 overall to make sure they got Patrick Mahomes the fastest receiver ever documented at the combine.
The Chiefs sent picks No. 32, 95 and 221 to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for No. 28,133 and 248. Quite the complicated trade of picks, but the Chiefs are certaintly happy to get Worthy, as Mahomes has had his eye on the speedy prospect since he broke the NFL record at the combine.
Kansas City Chiefs Pair The Fastest Receiver Ever With Patrick Mahomes
The fit of Xavier Worthy’s speed in Andy Reid‘s system is a match made in heaven and many analysts predicted that the team would find a way to get him with their first pick.
Jordan Foote of Arrowhead Report on SI.com predicted ahead of the draft that this match would be a perfect fit for the Chiefs in his scouting report on Worthy.
“Speed is the name of Worthy’s game, plain and simple,” Foote wrote. “It’s backed up by his play on the field, as well as the 40-yard dash record he recently set at the NFL Combine. Worthy is quite literally one of the fastest players in this year’s class — regardless of position — and is a big play waiting to happen. The speed and stop-start ability make for a lethal duo of traits.”
“One of the biggest pluses of Worthy’s profile as a receiver is he tracks the football well and maintains speed when doing so,” Foote continued. “That, combined with his acceleration for yards after the catch, is dangerous. Worthy uses spacing well and creates some of it due to his natural quickness and consistency in stacking the opposing defensive back. His twitchiness and hip fluidity are evident in his route-running process. Worthy has underrated contact balance and body control for someone his size.”
“For the Chiefs, Worthy is an intriguing fit in Andy Reid and Matt Nagy’s offense,” Foote wrote. “They don’t have anything in the receiver room right now that matches Worthy’s ability to stretch the field vertically and strike fear into defenses. His “perfect world” scenario involves going to the Chiefs, so the interest is there on his end. Should Worthy last to the pick No. 32 range on night one of the draft, don’t be surprised to see and hear plenty of Kansas City buzz in a hurry.”
It is clear that the Chiefs knew who they were going to take for a while now. It is also clear that Mahomes had his hands all over this pick as he must be dying to get a super fast receiver again. We know how it worked out with Tyreek Hill.
😂😂😂 my bad 4.22…. https://t.co/LAEvPiHNty
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) March 2, 2024
Xavier Worthy Can Do More Than Just Fly
While Worthy became quite famous from breaking the all time 40 yard dash record, he can do much more than just sprint. His talents can be used perfectly in Reid’s offense and while his scouting report does reveal some issues, he landed in the possible place.
Per Jordan Dajani and Dave Richard of CBS:
“Xavier Worthy is a thin-framed wide receiver who shows great quickness to set up route breaks and sinks his hips to flatten his routes. He lacks the mass to make much of an impact as a blocker and could struggle getting off jams at the next level. Worthy has great top-end speed to separate on vertical routes.”
They continued by revealing his strengths and weaknesses:
“Great top-end speed. Shows urgency at the route stem to get out of his breaks. Shows hands late as to not tip off the defender. Sinks his hips into breaks and flattens routes.”
“Thin frame. Lacks of mass makes it difficult to get off jams at the line of scrimmage. Offers little as a blocker.”
While those weakness could be concerning for receivers making the transition to the NFL, Reid should be able to work him into their system perfectly and take advantage of all those incredible strengths. The league has been put on notice as the back to back champions just picked up the fastest receiver ever.
Related: Patrick Mahomes Takes Note of Xavier Worthy Record Breaking Combine