The Kansas City Chiefs believe first-round rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy can make a game-altering impact on quarterback Patrick Mahomes and what is already one of the most explosive offenses in the sport.
After all, Worthy arrives in Kansas City fresh off setting the 40-yard dash record at the NFL Combine, running it in a blazing 4.21 seconds and following a prolific 1,014-yard and five-touchdown season at the University of Texas where he averaged 13.5 yards per reception.
However, one NFL coach is skeptical that Worthy will alter the course of the Chiefs’ offense and make the kind of impact on Mahomes that Kansas City is hoping for.
“I just think Xavier is going to have problems with man-press,” an NFL Offensive Coordinator told me recently, on the condition of anonymity to speak freely about another team. “They gotta get him free access via formations.
“Travis and Rashee Rice would still be my top targets, with shots to the speed guys occasionally to keep defenses honest.”
While Worthy thrived in the vertical passing game, posting 234 deep yards last season, Pro Football Focus points out that the 6-foot-1 and 172-pound wideout posted a man-coverage grade of just 66.4 and a contested catch rate of 23.8 percent.
If Worthy struggles to create separation, Andy Reid and the Chiefs may need to utilize pre-snap motion to create opportunities to bring out his upside.
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