The Kansas City Chiefs have selected Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy with the 32nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, giving Patrick Mahomes a new weapon on offense.
The Kansas City Chiefs have added a thrilling new weapon to their arsenal, drafting the fastest player ever to enter the NFL Draft Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy.
It is a move that provides Patrick Mahomes with an ideal offensive tool as the Chiefs target a third successive Super Bowl.
Worthy’s draft stock skyrocketed in March when he shattered the draft record for the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He clocked an official time of 4.21 seconds, edging out former Cincinnati Bengals receiver John Ross’ record of 4.22 seconds set in 2017.
With over 1,000 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season, Worthy could instantly become a favourite target for the Chiefs, potentially giving Andy Reid’s playbook a fresh lease of life.
The Chiefs haven’t had a receiver as swift and explosive as Worthy since Tyreek Hill departed for the Miami Dolphins. Since then, they’ve adjusted their offense, but the addition of Worthy might allow them to revisit certain plays.
Kansas City has had difficulties in the position over the past two years, relying on rookie Rashee Rice last year, who may face suspensions following his involvement in a high-speed crash earlier this month.
The signing of Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown, another speedy and compact receiver, coupled with Worthy, now offers the Chiefs a plethora of options at the position, potentially diverting attention away from Travis Kelce.
The explosive receiver is expected to quickly establish a key role within the team, especially as both Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney have found it challenging to break into the rotation and gain Reid’s confidence.
The Chiefs are entering the season as the hot favourites to clinch the Super Bowl, having won back-to-back championships and bolstered their squad this offseason. Despite drafting Worthy, the Chiefs still have plenty of draft picks left to bolster their defence, which they’re likely to focus on improving in the coming days.
Worthy’s Texas teammate, Adonai Mitchell, was a surprising absence from the first round of the draft, in a class that was heavily skewed towards offence with the first 14 players being offensive.
The class made history as the first ever to see six quarterbacks selected within the first 12 picks, with Michael Penix Jr shockingly picked by the Atlanta Falcons despite the team giving Kirk Cousins a four-year, $180 million deal.
