The Kansas City Chiefs' front office, led by Brett Veach, made some bold moves in the 2024 NFL Draft to support their superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs snagged speedster Xavier Worthy in the first round and potential left tackle of the future Kingsley Suamataia in the second.
Let's break down how these rookies fared in their NFL debut against the Baltimore Ravens.
Xavier Worthy: A Spectacular Start
Talk about making an entrance! Worthy's first NFL touch was a 21-yard end-around touchdown, showcasing his blazing speed against Baltimore's elite defense. He didn't stop there, hauling in the game-winning TD from Mahomes later on. Sure, he got a little help from a blown coverage, but hey, you've got to be in the right place at the right time, right?
Worthy's performance (68 yards on just four touches) is exactly what the Chiefs' offense needed. After winning Super Bowl LVIII, it was clear their passing game needed a boost. Worthy might just be the missing piece, bringing that deep-threat capability they've lacked since trading Tyreek Hill.
Xavier Worthy's blazing speed is a game-changer. Defenses will have to respect his deep threat, which should create a ripple effect across the offense. With defenses wary of getting torched, we're likely to see more conservative coverages. This could be a major boost for Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce, and the ground game. Even when he's not catching passes, Worthy's mere presence on the field has the potential to take this offense to another level.
Is Worthy perfect? Nope. He's not the most physical player out there, and durability could be a concern. But if the Chiefs use him right, his speed and separation skills could be a game-changer. Plus, he's got a knack for tracking those deep balls – something the Chiefs have struggled with lately.
Kingsley Suamataia: An Encouraging Debut
Now, onto Suamataia. Let's be real: his debut wasn't as flashy as Worthy's. Pro Football Focus ($) only charged him with one QB hit in 33 pass-blocking snaps, which is excellent. He was also effective on plays that involved him blocking in space, which is an Andy Reid specialty. Just going off Week 1, it's clear that the Chiefs made the right pick in the second round of April's draft.
Overall, I'd call Suamataia's debut good, but not great. That's not me throwing shade at the rookie. It just means that he has plenty of room to develop. His technique was sometimes a bit haywire (he was called for holding early in the second half), and he got beat on a few plays. Lucky for him, Mahomes has that lightning-quick release and ability to evade pressure.
Let's be clear: Suamataia is a young player who didn't face top-tier competition in college. Growing pains are expected. He'll have a few rough games this season, but that's nothing to be discouraged by. The Chiefs threw him into the deep end against Baltimore and he proved that he could swim. Although his debut wasn't perfect, the Chiefs should be delighted with their young starting left tackle.
The Verdict
The Chiefs took a swing to improve their offense in the draft, and it looks like they've got two solid players on their hands. Suamataia needs time to develop, but the team trusts him. As for Worthy? He could be a real weapon this year. If he keeps making explosive plays, watch out – the Chiefs' offense might reclaim its spot as one of the NFL's best.