Wide receiver Xavier Worthy made sure everyone knew he was worthy of being selected in the first round of the upcoming 2024 National Football League (NFL) draft scheduled on April 25 to 27 at Campus Martius Park in Detroit, Michigan.
This after the former Texas Longhorn broke the 40-yard dash record with a time of 4.21 seconds at the jam-packed NFL Combine last Saturday, March 2. He broke John Ross’ previous record of 4.22 seconds, registered during the 2017 NFL Combine.
Worthy Proving His Worth
Earning All-Big 12 honours in all three seasons with the Longhorns, Worthy was right on his game as he blazed 4.25 seconds on his first 40-yard dash, beating Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins’ who timed at 4.28 seconds on Friday.
But his exploits didn’t stop there as the former Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year delivered the record-breaking performance on his second try, sending the Indianapolis and Lucas Oil Stadium in complete pandemonium.
Worthy’s 1.49-second 10-yard split record also tops this year’s star-studded event, which featured quarterbacks Bo Nix, Spencer Rattler, and Kedon Slovis, running backs Isaiah Davis, Frank Gore Jr., Isaac Guerendo, and George Holani, and tight ends Ethan Driskell, Frank Crum, and Delmar Glaze.
Is Worthy a Worthy Addition for the Chiefs?
Currently, NFL.com has Worthy projected to be picked last by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round. Should he be available and the Chiefs pull the trigger, he is expected to replace Travis Kelce as the team’s starting wide receiver a couple of seasons from now and play alongside Rashee Rice.
The Chiefs hold one pick each in the first, second, third, fourth, sixth, and seventh rounds of the draft, while they will select thrice in the fifth round. Kansas City is coming off a nail-biting 25-22 victory against the San Francisco 49ers at Super Bowl LVIII. With the expected departure of Nick Allegretti, Blake Bell, and Mike Danna, the Chiefs need all the help they can get to retain the crown.
Other than the three, the Chiefs also have lost Deon Bush, Mike Edwards, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jody Fortson, Blaine Gabbert, Willie Gay, Mecole Hardman, Richie James, Jerick McKinnon, Derrick Nnadi, and Donovan Smith.
As of this writing, the Chiefs have added former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza, Tyree Gillespie, Cornell Powell, and Gerrit Prince to their already-powerhouse lineup led by reigning Super Bowl LVIII Most Valuable Player (MVP) Patrick Mahomes. Adding Worthy would be a game-changer and provide some youth to the team, especially since Kelce will turn 35 this year.
Worthy had a breakout first year with the Trojans, registering freshman school records for most receiving yards in a season (981 yards) and receiving touchdowns with 12. He also broke the freshman record for receiving yards in a game with 261 against the Oklahoma Sooners.
The 20-year-old Fresno, California native upped his total in his third year with the Longhorns, tallying 1,014 yards and five touchdowns before forgoing his senior year and entering the 2024 NFL Draft. During his collegiate years, Worthy was named the 2021 Freshman All-American while making the first-team All-Big 12 twice and second-team once.
At present,
Superbowl betting sites
have the Chiefs winning Super Bowl LIX at 6/1, just below the 49ers, which are priced at 5/1 and above the Baltimore Ravens (9/1), Bills (12/1), and Detroit Lions (12/1). Mahomes is also the favourite to win the NFL Regular Season MVP at 13/2, followed by Josh Allen (7/1) and Joe Burrow (9/1).
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Williams Expected to Be Picked First?
Despite Worthy’s impressive performance, NFL Draft odds suggest University of South Carolina’s Caleb Williams is still the favourite to be chosen first by the Chicago Bears in this April’s draft. Bet365 has Williams as the 1/12 favourite to be the number one overall pick, with Drake Maye (8/1), Jayden Daniels (8/1), and Marvin Harrison Jr. (14/1) in distant second, third, and fourth respectively.
Williams is known for his impressive velocity from multiple angles and platforms, which have won him the Heisman Trophy with the Trojans. Williams threw more than 4,500 yards during his freshman year while leading his team to an impressive 11-3 record.
Other players expected to contend for the first overall pick in this year’s draft are J.J. McCarthy (50/1), Kool-Aid McKinstry (66/1), Bo Nix (100/1), Brock Bowers (100/1), Michael Penix Jr. (100/1), Dallas Turner (125/1), and Jared Verse (150/1).
On the other hand, Maye is the favourite to be selected second by the Washington Commanders at 20/27. Right now,
online bookmakers
also have him as the favourite to be picked third by the New England Patriots at 8/5 alongside Louisiana State University’s Daniels. Meanwhile, Worthy comes at a juicy price of 250/1 to be the first non-quarterback selected in the upcoming draft, as per the latest NFL Draft odds.
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