For each of the last few years, the wide receiver class has been deep within the NFL Draft. That was no different this past April in the 2024 NFL Draft. Seven wide receivers were selected in round one this year, tying 2004 for the most wide receivers in the first round in a single draft all-time. The Kansas City Chiefs were one team to take a wide receiver in the first round. By trading up a few spots, KC went with speedster Xavier Worthy out of Texas.
With seven-on-seven leagues and the emphasis of passing in this current era of football, wide receivers are entering college football and the NFL with a good amount of success early on. Kansas City even saw that last year with Rashee Rice. Rice nearly completed a 1,000-yard receiving season in his rookie campaign, becoming the team's WR1 by the end of the year. Obviously, the Chiefs are hoping that Xavier Worthy can also step in and produce initially as well.
Xavier Worthy could be a fine name to throw some money on that is not near the top of the odds leaderboard.
When it comes to 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds, Xavier Worthy is just outside the top five via FanDuel. Quarterbacks Caleb Williams (+120 odds) and Jayden Daniels (+600 odds), the top two selections in this year's draft, have the two shortest odds for the award.
The rest of the top five on FanDuel is filled with two wide receivers and another quarterback. Marvin Harrison Jr. does not sit far behind Daniels with +650 odds. Harrison Jr. was the first non-quarterback selected this year, giving Kyler Murray a new weapon in the desert. Denver's Bo Nix, who was recently named the starter, has +1100 odds to Offensive Rookie of the Year. And rounding out the top five in betting odds for this award, you have wide receiver Malik Nabers at +1500 odds.
The gap between Nix and Nabers is the same distance between Nabers and Xavier Worthy. Overall, Kansas City's rookie first-round pick holds odds of +1900 to win Offensive Rookie of the Year on FanDuel.
By adding more speed to the wide receiver room this year, the Chiefs are hoping the deep passing game can reemerge. Worthy is expected to be a major part of that in 2024. At training camp and in the preseason game against the Detroit Lions, Patrick Mahomes and Worthy certainly connected down the field plenty of times. And if the separation skills of the rookie wide receiver continue to develop, perhaps the production of Worthy will materialize out of the gate.
The deep ball may be the main source in helping his case for 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year. With his opportunity in the Chiefs offense, and with Kansas City's nature of passing heavily under Andy Reid, Worthy could be a fine name to throw some money on that is not near the top of the odds leaderboard.