The Buffalo Bills traded back from pick No. 28 to pick No. 32 in the 2024 NFL Draft, handing their rival Kansas City Chiefs the fastest player in NFL Combine history, Texas wideout Xavier Worthy.
The Chiefs bolstered its offense by acquiring Marquise Brown in free agency, bringing in a receiver with blazing vertical speed (4.27 40). They added even more speed to their offense after drafting Worthy, who shattered the NFL Combine with a 4.21 40-yard dash time.
Worthy’s arsenal includes pure speed, agility, and precise route-running, positioning him as a potential game-changer in the 2024 fantasy season. He offers immediate impact potential as a rookie and emerges as a highly coveted prospect for dynasty leagues, making him a prime target in rookie drafts.
XAVIER WORTHY SCOUTING REPORT: ELITE ROUTE RUNNER WITH GAMEBREAKING SPEED
Xavier Worthy is a dynamic player known for his ankle-breaking route-running skills and elite vertical track speed. He hit 22.7 MPH on the GPS and recorded the fastest 40 in NFL Combine history at 4.21 seconds. Most importantly, he excels as a separator, showcasing fluidity in his movements, and has a knack for quickly accelerating and getting up to full speed.
Worthy made an early impact as a true freshman with 12 touchdowns and has since evolved into a more well-rounded receiver. He’s much more than a vertical burner, and he proved that throughout his career as one of the class’ best route runners.
Worthy’s agility and acceleration are evident in his fluid transitions in and out of breaks, allowing him to create separation and make explosive plays downfield. Despite his slender frame, weighing just 165 pounds, he has shown remarkable reliability in catching the football at all three levels. He has the agility to turn short receptions into electrifying scoring opportunities, demonstrated by his ability to take screens or quick hitters for touchdowns.
Even with highly-touted Quinn Ewers at the helm, 46% of his catches came on screens, and 28% of his targets occurred on deep throws — both topping all Power 5 WR in his class. However, analytically, he’s considered the worst deep threat in his class on paper, mostly due to Ewers’ downfield inaccuracy and inconsistency.
The speedster was a model of consistency at Texas, catching at least 60 balls (5.1 receptions per game) in each of his three seasons. He finished his career with 197 receptions for 2,755 yards and 26 touchdowns as a three-year starter.
LANDING SPOT: THE FASTEST PLAYER UNITES WITH PATRICK MAHOMES
Fantasy managers, rejoice.
Worthy found his dream match in Kansas City alongside the league’s top quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, and the league’s top coach, Andy Reid. Since Tyreek Hill’s departure, the Chiefs’ offense has been craving for that extra spark, and Worthy’s arrival promises to inject the much-needed dynamism. Despite the cautionary tales surrounding previous NFL Combine heroes, Worthy’s collegiate consistency and skill set suggest he might break the mold, offering hope for real-life and fantasy success.
Worthy’s selection addresses immediate and long-term needs, as the Chiefs’ offense currently relies on an aging Travis Kelce. Plus, there’s uncertainty about Rashee Rice’s looming suspension. Reid will utilize Worthy’s speed all over the formation, boosting his fantasy outlook. The blend of immense upside and burgeoning hype demands early consideration for those targeting Worthy in their fantasy drafts.
His presence on the field alongside Mahomes, Kelce, Rice, and Marquise Brown is a beacon of hope for those who want a piece of the Chiefs offense. Not only will these offensive weapons have individual fantasy upside, but Mahomes will be in for a significant boost after a career-low 17.5 ppg fantasy season.
Worthy won’t sit atop the Chiefs’ target totem pole, but he doesn’t have to be a target hog to put up weekly-winning fantasy numbers due to the creativity in this offense and his ability to create yardage after the catch.
“Remember, Worthy is going to be massively landing spot-dependent, so don’t be surprised if I bump him up for down by more than a few spots after the Draft. And, again, may God have mercy on our souls if he lands in Miami (or Kansas City),” wrote Scott Barrett of Fantasy Points.
Ultimately, this is a match made in fantasy heaven.
XAVIER WORTHY 2024 FANTASY OUTLOOK & DYNASTY VALUE
This is an all-around fantastic fantasy landing spot for Xavier Worthy.
Sure, there are some mouths to feed, but a player with such a dynamic skill set in an Andy Reid offense will find ways to flourish. Expect to see a handful of manufactured touches while he also cooks out of the slot and around the formation. The screen game will be lethal, and Worthy will be a menace in motion.
From a dynasty perspective, don’t forget that Hollywood Brown only inked a one-year deal while Kelce turns 35 during the season. That leaves Rice and Worthy as the only two Chiefs’ pass-catchers with true long-term appeal.
Worthy sits at WR37 (+27 vs ECR) on our 2024 Fantasy Football Rankings — just above teammate Hollywood Brown and fellow rookie Rome Odunze. He also bumped up our 2024 Dynasty Rookie Rankings to WR6 (No. 11 overall), while we wait until Day 2 shakes out.
