Chiefs pull off rare trade with conference rival to snag fastest wide receiver in 2024 NFL draft

Kansas City Chiefs GM Brett Veach continues his trend of aggression with a trade-up in the 2024 NFL draft.  According to multiple reports, the Chiefs have traded pick No. 32, 95 (third). 221 (seventh) to the Buffalo Bills for 28, 133 (fourth), 248 (seventh) to the Chiefs to trade up in the first round.  There had been […]

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) celebrates a play in the fourth quarter of the Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff semi-finals at the Ceasars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, Jan. 1, 2024. The Huskies won the game 37-31.
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Kansas City Chiefs GM Brett Veach continues his trend of aggression with a trade-up in the 2024 NFL draft. 

According to multiple reports, the Chiefs have traded pick No. 32, 95 (third). 221 (seventh) to the Buffalo Bills for 28, 133 (fourth), 248 (seventh) to the Chiefs to trade up in the first round. 

There had been a lot of chatter about Kansas City attempting to move up in Round 1, which was true. The last time they traded up it was to jump ahead of the Buffalo Bills to acquire CB Trent McDuffie in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft. This time they make a trade with Buffalo to grab a prospect that they've been connected to since the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, when he broke the 40-yard dash record with a 4.21s run. 

Everything to know about Xavier Worthy

The 20-year-old Texas Longhorn is listed at 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds. 

Worthy caught 75 catches for over 1,000 yards and five touchdowns in 2023, after back-to-back seasons with over 60 receptions, at least 760 yards, and at least nine touchdowns. 

Pros and cons via A to Z Sports' Rob Gregson:

Strengths

  • Speed: Trackstar who dares opposing WRs to align in press coverage
  • Quickness: Swift feet to cut against the grain and get himself open in tight areas or make defenders miss
  • Suddenness: Excellent ankle flexion and hip swivel to drop his weight with little to no wasted movement

Areas of Improvement-Concerns

  • Size: Sub 6-0 and within 160 pounds will subject him to the slot
  • Hands: Way too many easy drops and double clutches
  • Catch Radius: Everything is tight and stiff in terms of his shoulders. Doesn’t show the ability to open up and get his arms around passes out of his vicinity

A Worthy endeavor given the Chiefs' wide receiver situation

The Chiefs needed to improve their wide receiver group after the 2023 NFL season. Patrick Mahomes was tearing his hair out at some of the inexplicably poor wide receiver play a season ago. They add a player with a skill set that is reminiscent of players like Tyreek Hill or DeSean Jackson in an Andy Reid offense. That skill set might feel a bit redundant, but consider the fact that Hollywood Brown is on a one-year deal. Then consider the fact that a suspension is all but confirmed to be coming for Rashee Rice at some point during the 2024 NFL season. 

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