Xavier Worthy

Worthy had a nice rookie season, but i dont think he projects as a regular starting fantasy receiver. He will have big games, but others not so much. Development could surprise though.

The Chiefs have a few weapons in the passing game, and Xavier Worthy is a big recipient of that volume. There is also Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice (when not suspended), Marquise Brown, who is trying to finally be healthy. I see Worthy as a poor man's Tyreek Hill. The volume may not be the same as Hill, but the skill set is similar. 

Worthy is a late riser. While he came on late in the season, the volume (and higher percentage targets) he enjoyed down the stretch and in the playoffs projected to take a hit with the return of Rashee Rice (and Hollywood Brown). Rice's looming mid-season suspension restores a high weekly floor to go along with his ceiling.

Worthy finished strong last season and Patrick Mahomes has been vocal about revitalizing the vertical game in the Chiefs offense. Worthy has DeSean Jackson's ceiling as a deep threat. 

If Rashee Rice can't return to full strength this year from his knee injury, Worthy could see more of Rice's role as the extension of the run game with short passes. 

My podcast partner, Brandon Angelo, from Angelo's Analysis is an athletic trainer to professional athletes. He had concerns about Kirk Cousins last spring that were rooted in his job knowledge. He has concerns about Rice's ability to withstand the punishment of the game this year. 

My ranking of Worthy and Rice is based on this. If you want to bet against this, then flip-flop where I have valued Worthy and Rice. 

Elite athlete: Ran the fastest 40-yard dash time in NFL history (4.21) and posted a 41" vertical and a 10'11" broad jump. He plays way tougher than his 165-pound weight. Andy Reid utilized him as a chess piece as a rookie, moving him in motion and on shifts, and also lining him up in the backfield. Progressed and improved as his rookie season went on, culminating in an 8-reception 157-yard 2-touchdown Super Bowl performance. He adds rushing upside as he ran 20 times for 104 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2024. He is undervalued by ADP and is a target.

He finished with a solid rookie year, but the team will get Rashee Rice back and Travis Kelce is still here. However, Worthy is the field stretcher and could improve with more rapport in Year 2.

There is a world that exists where Worthy is behind both Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce in targets. Not to mention Hollywood Brown. Worthy is high ceiling, but low floor.