Xavier Worthy – Receiver – 21 years old – Junior – Texas
Height: 1m78
Weight: 75 kilos
Estimated position in the draft: middle of 2nd round – start of 3rd round
NFL Comparison: Josh Downs (Colts)
He broke the screen at the 2024 NFL Combine by breaking the 40-yard dash record in 4.21 seconds! Very fast, Xavier Worthy can gain 20 or 30 yards in a single move for his attack. This skill is valuable in the NFL.
Rookie in 2023, Josh Downs contributed 771 yards with Indianapolis. His first 30 attempts obtained as well as his yards after receptions (377) allowed the Colts to believe in the playoffs until the end, before failing with a positive record (9-8). The two players share the same size and the same profile bringing a lot of speed.
Highlights of Xavier Worthy
– Traces in depth but also inside the field
– Kick returns
– Sustainability
Xavier Worthy is a different player from Marquise Goodwin who during his eleven seasons in the NFL (2013-2023) was exclusively used as a “deep threat”. If he comes from the University of Texas like him, he was a much more complete receiver there: 2755 yards and 26 touchdowns in 3 seasons.
The liveliness of his support works wonders when he sprints then suddenly stops to return to the quarterback. He also did huge damage in the NCAA by gaining a lot of yards after receiving a screen pass. He is also very effective on all cross routes where his speed makes him impossible for defenders to follow laterally.
If Xavier Worthy can punish the opponent with a big gain, he also knows how to move the chains forward: the majority of NFL throws are for 10 yards or less.
When the opposing attack clears the ball, having a player capable of moving upfield is essential to give your own attack a good starting position. No college player has gained more than 371 yards (and 1 touchdown) in 2023, returning a punt, than Xavier Worthy!
Despite playing a contact sport with a shrimp size, Xavier Worthy has not missed a single NCAA game in three seasons! Certainly, in the NFL the shocks will be even more violent but he showed his ability to resist despite some bruises on his body.
Weak points of Xavier Worthy
– Slippery hands
– Lack of size
Over his last two seasons, he caught 135 passes! If fans remember the receptions that resulted in a touchdown (14), they also don't forget the ones that were released! Seven in 2022 and five in 2023. Its percentage of drop is, however, less than those of Marvin Harrison, Keon Coleman, Ladd McConkey or Troy Franklin.
But in the NFL, Xavier Worthy will neither be the number 1 nor number 2 receiver for his rookie season. Less fueled, the slightest ball released will be seen and will be fatal for his playing time!
Although he has shown resistance to shocks, his physique does not allow him to win in “contested catches”: 5 out of 21 possible in 2023! In the NFL, even the nickel cornerbacks (smaller and aligned inside the field) are used to making impact in contact with the receiver. Even if this will not be his primary mission as a receiver, he will nevertheless have to strengthen his body and therefore his game.
Possible destinations
Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals.
Trevor Lawrence lost Calvin Ridley, and if his replacement Gabriel Davis is rather fast, he is far from having the same speed as the Texas player. Joe cool Burrow can count on Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, with young Andrei Iosivas in succession. For the interior of the field, he will have tight ends Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample as well as receivers Trent Irwin and Charlie Jones. But who can attack depth in this offense?
In the AFC conference, the Bills and the Chiefs demonstrate to their rivals that using the power of your quarterback's arm is very useful to win! Xavier Worthy is therefore one of the possible options for the Jaguars with choice 48, as for the Bengals with the next choice.
Same logic for Houston, with one of their two choices in the 2nd round (42 and 59): optimize the power of CJ Stroud's arm. Nathaniel tank Dell is more lively in small spaces than quick to attack deep. Known to all fans of the state, Xavier Worthy would bring a dimension to the Texans that they do not have.
Marquise Hollywood Brown went to Kansas City and Rondale Moore to Atlanta. If he is still available at picks 66 or 71, Xavier Worthy could help form a new explosive duo with Greg Dortch in Arizona.
