Chiefs trade up, select Texas WR Xavier Worthy with No. 28 pick of 2024 NFL Draft

Having long sought a speedster since trading away Tyreek Hill, the Kansas City Chiefs took the fastest prospect available by way of a swap with their AFC archrivals.

The Chiefs traded up to select Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday night in Detroit after completing a deal with the Buffalo Bills.

The current Super Bowl champions were given the 28th overall pick, a fourth-round pick (No. 133), and a seventh-round pick (No. 248). This was in return for sending the No. 32 pick, a third-round selection (No. 95), and a seventh-round pick (No. 221) to the Bills.

While it would seem to a boon for the Chiefs, it’s a bit of a puzzlement for the Bills, who are also wide receiver needy after trading away Stefon Diggs and allowing Gabe Davis to leave via free agency. Buffalo essentially allowed Kansas City to move up four slots in the first so it could move up 38 slots from the fourth to third. The Bills would end up getting out of the first round completely by night’s end, gaining more draft picks after trading the No. 32 overall pick to the Panthers, who selected wideout Xavier Legette.

However, this is a significant moment for K.C., as Worthy draws comparisons to DeSean Jackson, a game-changer whom Andy Reid selected in Philadelphia 16 years earlier.

Having signed Marquise Brown and now added Worthy, the Chiefs have more big-gain threats for Patrick Mahomes than they’ve had since Hill’s departure after the 2021 season. It’s also a crucial move with wide receiver Rashee Rice, Mahomes’ top WR last year, facing eight counts stemming from a multi-vehicle car crash.

The Chiefs are hopeful that choosing Worthy will rejuvenate their offense and return it to its game-breaking form of previous autumns.

The 40-yard dash record-setter brings blazing 4.21 speed to the NFL.

At Texas, Worthy delivered an impressive performance, amassing 2,755 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns over three seasons. He improved his game in 2023 by reducing some drops and surpassing the 1,000-yard mark (1,014 yards) for the first time in his career.

The lean receiver’s innate speed creates effortless separation, enabling the wideout to abruptly stop, excelling in curls and comeback routes. Worthy demonstrated enhanced ability to track the ball in his last year at Texas, which will likely result in significant plays at the professional level.

Worthy’s speed and explosiveness, comparable to a blue streak, demand attention from the defense. Just the potential of his deep speed can effectively open up opportunities for the rest of the offense.

Everything Worthy does is quick, this includes his skill of strategizing after catching the ball. If he gets a slight opportunity with the ball in his possession, he can identify a gap and score a touchdown.

In a league that highly values speed, Worthy is a talent worth the admiration.

However, concerns are raised by his slim build and mediocre play strength. Worthy, standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 165 pounds, can sometimes be overpowered. Experienced cornerbacks are likely to use physical tactics against the rookie, especially if he fails to demonstrate the skill to overcome and outrun a press attempt early in the season. He can also be outmatched at the moment of catch, an area that he needs to enhance by gaining more strength.

The issue of size is significant as Worthy joins a league of adult players. However, if he can create space, not many defensive backs can match the speed of this sprinter.

Worthy, who will be turning 21 this week, possesses an unteachable, remarkable speed. The new kickoff rules could make him an essential player on special teams. Kansas City is banking on Worthy to make an impact similar to that of DeSean Jackson early in his career.