Xavier

Worthy

As is the case with all first-round contracts, the deal is fully guaranteed and includes a fifth-year option for the Chiefs. Worthy has recently been held out of OTAs because of a minor hamstring issue. The injury shouldn’t worry fantasy managers as long as he is ready for training camp. With Rashee Rice facing a possible suspension, Worthy could be in line for a sizable role to start his rookie season. His outlook will change drastically once we get a resolution to Rice’s legal situation. For now, he ranks as a volatile WR4.

Voluntary OTAs are underway for the Chiefs but Worthy was forced to sit out of Wednesday’s session because of the hamstring injury. The injury is minor, though it’s not great for the rookie to miss any time as he attempts to pick up the Chiefs’ complex playbook. For now, this news shouldn’t change fantasy drafters’ opinions of Worthy. It will only be a problem if the injury causes him to miss additional practices after OTAs.

In exchange for the No. 28 overall pick, the Chiefs gave up picks No. 32, 95, and 221. They also received back the No. 133 and No. 248 overall pick in this year’s draft. A true freshman breakout for the Tom Herman-coached Longhorns in 2021, Worthy (5’11/165) ripped the Big 12 for 62/981/12 as an 18-year-old. Transitioned to more of a pure deep role under new coach Steve Sarkisian in 2022, Worthy took a major statistical step backward as he converted just 9-of-44 deep targets for grabs. “Sark” adjusted for 2023 by returning Worthy to more all-around usage, including on manufactured short-area targets. It succeeded in sneaking Worthy just past 1,000 yards in a crowded skill corps. It also allowed Worthy to show off his YAC ability, leading this year’s receiver class with an average of 7.5 yards after the catch. Worthy cleaned up some previous drop issues with last season’s lower aDOT. A genuine burner with 4.21 timed speed, Worthy is also a genuine 165. He flat-out needs to get stronger. Even if he doesn’t, Worthy’s ability to both destroy defenses over the top and tack on yards in the middle of the field gives him a high career ceiling headed into his age-21 campaign. The draft’s fastest man now gets to show off his skills in an Andy Reid/Patrick Mahomes-led offense that could be ripe for fantasy production.

“The Chiefs have really been working to see if they can get up from 32,” Palmer said. “The thought around the league is it’s would be for one of the speedy wide receivers.” It’s the second report today that the Chiefs would like to move up amidst their receiver uncertainty as they await word on Rashee Rice’s suspension. A “speedy” wideout was also a dire need even before Rice’s legal woes. Texas burner Xavier Worthy would fit the bill better than anyone, but the Chiefs would maybe have to move up too far to get him.

Worthy’s draft stock has steadily risen since he broke the 40 yard dash record at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine with a time of 4.21 seconds. Worthy has also visited with the Bears. The Colts could stand to add more pass-catching firepower to their offense in 2024, and Worthy — who turns 21 in late April — would profile as an explosive complement to possession receiver Michael Pittman. The blazing fast Worthy had 981 yards and a dozen touchdown grabs on just 62 receptions in his final collegiate season.

Worthy, the fastest man in NFL Combine history, is scheduled to meet with the Bears, who could be in the market to add another wide receiver this offseason. The Bears hold the No. 1 and No. 9 picks in this year’s draft, and while the top pick is expected to be used on Caleb Williams, the No. 9 pick remains a wild card. Earlier this offseason, the Bears went out and added Keenan Allen in a trade with the Chargers, but Allen will be 33 at the start of the season and has only one year left on his contract. Worthy is one of many receivers who could be on the Bears’ radar as they look to lock in high-end receiver talent for their incoming rookie quarterback — whoever that may be.

The 4.21 official 40-yard dash time set a combine record, edging out John Ross’ time of 4.22. Worthy’s combine testing almost assuredly boosted his draft stock into the first round, with the biggest hurdle being the multitude of first-round grades at the wide receiver position this year. The former Texas wide receiver was clocked at a blistering 22.7 mph with the ball in his hands in 2022.

Worthy (6'1/160) heads into the 2022 season on one of the nation’s most prestigious watch lists -- the Biletnikoff Award watch list. He finished out last season with 62 receptions for 981 yards with 12 touchdowns and is garnering no shortage of hype ahead of the upcoming season. PFF’s Anthony Treash is among those high on Worthy, listing him as No. 4 receiver in the nation, just behind Kayshon Boutte and right ahead of Josh Downs. It will be interesting to see how these rankings switch up as the action unfolds during the 2022 season.

Worthy (6'1/160) enters 2022 with high expectations after going for 62-981-12 as a freshman. The Longhorns are expected to take a massive leap forward this upcoming season after a 5-7 effort last season, with transfer quarterback Quinn Ewers now on campus. Ewers was the No. 1 overall recruit from the 2021 class and spent his true freshman season on the bench at Ohio State. Now with Texas, Ewers’ success this season has a chance to carry Worthy and the Longhorns into an exciting 2022 season. Worthy is one of two Texas receivers to make the Biletnikoff Award watch list, with fellow receiver Isaiah Neyor also receiving a nod after his 44-878-12 performance last season with Wyoming.

The transfer portal and NIL have been quite fascinating to watch, Players have been offered big money to transfer, including Jordan Addison who just transferred to USC. According to Hummer, Worthy (6'1/160) was offered big money to do just that from at least one power-five school. His teammate Jahdae Barron was offered something similar but Texas was able to fend those offers off. These types of moves will likely become more and more common until there are more strict ground rules put into place.