Kansas City first-round pick Worthy brings more than just speed to the table | 2024 NFL Draft
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Xavier Worthy catches a touchdown pass against Oklahoma in 2022.
(UPDATED VERSION, 4-26-24):
It certainly did not take long for Kansas City Chiefs 2024 first-round pick Xavier Worthy to make an impact on campus. The 2021 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year also earned a spot on the Big 12 Fall Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
The Central East High School (Calif.) product went on to twice earn first-team All-Big 12 honors. Honors have been a big part of the four-star recruit’s legacy. Recently, he set an all-time record at the 2024 NFL Combine with a 4.21 second time in the 40-yard dash.
Worthy averaged 14.5 yards per punt return (TD) in and caught 197 passes with 26 receiving scores in his career. And while the speed is noteworthy, Worthy contains a feel for setting up defenders as a route runner. At just 165 pounds, how many NFL defensive backs will attempt to alter his release off the line of scrimmage?

This question mark should get answered early in NFL training camp for the Chiefs. Some of the 2022 issues with drops began to dissipate as a junior.
Worthy has been productive in the Red Zone. Half of his 26 career receiving scores came inside the 20-yard line. Worthy’s longest grab this past season went for 54 yards.
But the game-breaking ability shone on special teams, where he earned AP third-team All-American honors in 2023. He averaged 16.9 yards per punt return and took one the distance versus BYU.
We go inside Worthy’s impressive game in our video breakdown.