The Kansas City Chiefs reshaped the top of their wide receiver room entering the 2024 season. Gaining more speed was obviously a key factor in building this new group. What better way to capitalize on that than by drafting a player who set a new record in the most recent 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine? Xavier Worthy is this year's first-round pick and the excitement surrounding him is already at a fever pitch.
Until Rashee Rice last season, very little wide receivers shined under the current Chiefs regime as incoming rookies. Rice was able to put up nearly 1,000 receiving yards and expanded into a crucial role for Kansas City's offense down the stretch. But as Rice showed in his games last year, it is not always about the production for these wide receivers joining an offense with Patrick Mahomes at the helm.
Production will surely still be an area of focus for Xavier Worthy throughout this upcoming rookie season. However, carving out a role that displays all of his top traits will be paramount for Worthy to be a focal point within the offense. Speed is the chief trait for this new Chiefs pass catcher. But outside of that, his varied release package, versatility, soft hands, and even his toughness will be worth monitoring. When it is all said and done, developing into a more complete player could very well determine if Worthy had a successful rookie campaign or not.
What the Chiefs are looking for early in Worthy's season
There is of course only so much that can be taken away from training camp reps. You are going up against the same players day in and day out. But overall, Xavier Worthy has made some strides in passing periods. As we have seen so far, the vertical threat and potential deep ball is back, as Kansas City is hoping for this year. Beyond that, you can see some of the finer details within his route running beginning to become more sharp.
With the first preseason game coming up soon, it will be intriguing to see how Worthy performs on each route. While his frame is joked about in certain moments, the way he stands in against contact and in the middle of the field is something that stood out from his college days. Meanwhile, Worthy can be super deceptive as a route runner, extending the throwing window for his quarterback before the ball is even released out of the passer's hand.
Worthy's versatility should fit right in
The versatility factor from his Texas film is surely something the Chiefs will look to capitalize on early. This is an area that will be key in seeing how Xavier Worthy handles reps from different areas of the field against NFL defenses. In Kansas City, there is not necessarily a defined X-receiver or Z-receiver role. Coach Andy Reid will divvy up different looks and formations from snap to snap. For Worthy himself, the test of handling reps both in the slot or out wide will be something that fans can gradually watch for from the first preseason game into the thick of the regular season.
With the Chiefs, there may also be some chances for Worthy in the quick passing game or the screen passing game. How does he attack space with the ball in his hands after the catch? Is he taking smart routes to get into the open field? Plus, will Worthy be able to create extra space for himself at or behind the line of scrimmage on those kinds of routes? If the finer details can be etched out in this area, the explosive magic of Worthy can begin to take over.
Chiefs will look for Worthy to grow into a threat all year long
The production will come as Xavier Worthy begins to grow more comfortable in a potentially dynamic offense. Stats should not be how fans view if his rookie year is successful or not. If there are ways to view him via numbers early on, total snaps and where his amount of targets rank on the offense per week may provide substance. Is his targets being designed here and there? Or, is Worthy able to create opportunities for himself as a pass catcher, so to speak?
As with any player, it should be considered a marathon and not a quick sprint for how he performs for an entire season. Worthy will have to battle the proverbial rookie wall at some point in the season. And if he drives right through it, the Chiefs offense could remain among the league's best. And hopefully for Kansas City, the inclusion of Worthy restores the explosive passing game and winning through the air down the field.