Chiefs trade up, draft Texas WR Xavier Worthy in 2024 NFL Draft

Tyler Greenawalt

Chiefs trade up, draft Texas WR Xavier Worthy in 2024 NFL Draft image

The Chiefs didn't want to wait until the final pick of the first round to make their pick.

They traded up with the Bills to the No. 28 pick to select Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy. Kansas City sent the Nos. 32, 95 and 221 picks to Buffalo for Nos. 28, 133 and 248.

Worthy famously set the NFL Combine record in the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.21 seconds. Now, the Chiefs have a trio of speedy wideouts to play alongside tight end Travis Kelce. Worthy joins Marquise Brown and Rashee Rice to give Patrick Mahomes arguably his most-complete pass-catching core as the Chiefs look to become the first time in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls.

The biggest concern with Worthy is his frame. He stands at 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds. Smaller wide receivers have excelled recently, though. The Texans' Tank Dell broke as a rookie despite his small stature this past season.

Worthy was extremely productive during his three years at Texas. He caught at least 60 receptions for 750 yards and five touchdowns every year he played for the Longhorns. Worthy finished with 197 receptions for 2,755 yards and 26 touchdowns in 39 career games.

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Xavier Worthy stats

Here are Xavier Worthy's career stats during his 39 collegiate games:

  • Receptions: 197
  • Receiving yards: 2,755
  • Average yards per reception: 14.0
  • Receiving touchdowns: 26

Here are Xavier Worthy's height, weight and other measurables:

  • Height: 5-foot-11
  • Weight: 165 pounds
  • Arms: 31 inches
  • Hand size: 8.75 inches

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Chiefs instant draft grade for Xavier Worthy pick

This is a luxury pick. Not because the Chiefs didn't need a wide receiver, but because of the type of pass-catcher Worthy is and how he translates to the NFL. While the success of players like Dell and Flowers is encouraging for Worthy's potential, it's a major gamble for a Chiefs team with other needs.

With that being said, this is the type of pick a team that wants to push all its chips into the 2024 season makes. Especially after the Chiefs' receiving corps was so uneven this past season. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has completely revamped the roster with Marquise Brown in free agency and now Worthy in the draft. Speed is the new currency in Kansas City, in and Worthy provides that and more for the Chiefs.

Grade: B+

Xavier Worthy NFL comparison

Dell is the easiest comp for Worthy. Both stand shorter than six feet tall and both weigh 165 pounds.

Worthy has also been compared to Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, who went in the first round a year ago. Flowers is actually shorter than Worthy but a little thicker.

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Tyler Greenawalt

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Tyler Greenawalt is a contributing writer for The Sporting News after stops at Yahoo Sports, USA Today Sports and Turner Sports. He’s worked in written, video, social media and augmented reality content since he graduated from Syracuse University in 2014. His favorite teams – the New York Jets, Orlando Magic and Tottenham Hotspur – always find new and exciting ways to disappoint him, and he consistently questions his fandom. You can follow his bad sports takes at @TyGreen14 on X.