Pros and cons of Kansas City Chiefs picking Texas football’s Xavier Worthy in NFL Draft

After torturing Big 12 defenses for the past three seasons, Xavier Worthy is now the AFC West's problem.

Worthy was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 28th overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday night. He's the first Texas receiver selected in the first round since the Detroit Lions took Roy Williams No. 7 overall in 2004.

Worthy was drafted 12 picks after Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II was drafted by Seattle.

What Worthy brings to Kansas City in 2024 NFL draft

The two-time defending Super Bowl champions, Kansas City picked up another weapon for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes II when it traded into Buffalo's draft slot to select Worthy. In Worthy, the Chiefs picked up a player whose speed makes him stand out in this year's stacked receiver class. He was rated by NFL.com as the No. 11 receiver in the Class of 2024. He was the fifth receiver selected.

Worthy led Texas in both receptions and receiving yards during each of his three seasons. The last Longhorn to lead the team in receiving yards in three straight seasons was Mike Davis (2011-13). Williams was the last player to lead UT in receptions three years in a row (2001-03).

Worthy also could be an asset on special teams. His average of 16.9 yards per punt return in 2023 ranked second nationally.

Worthy highlights, strengths, weaknesses at Texas

Dropped passes were a cause for concern for Worthy, which was a case not helped by the broken hand that he played with during a portion of the 2022 season. And although he never shied away from contact at UT, the 5-foot-11, 165-pound Worthy still has a thin frame.

But then there's the speed. At the NFL Combine in March, Worthy was timed at 4.21 seconds in the 40-yard dash. That set the NFL Combine record.

Worthy was compared to Houston Texans receiver Tank Dell by NFL.com.

Of his five touchdown catches this past season, none may have been more impressive than his 44-yard score at Alabama on Sept. 9. On that play, Worthy was able to beat his defender downfield while simultaneously tracking a deep pass from Quinn Ewers into the end zone.

Worthy stats with Texas

Worthy earned all-conference honors at the receiver position during each of his three seasons at Texas, and he was a first-team honor in 2021 and 2023. The Big 12 also recognized Worthy was also honored as the conference's top kick and punt returner this past season.

For his career, Worthy compiled 197 catches and 2,755 receiving yards. Those totals respectively rank sixth and fourth in the UT record books.

How many Longhorns have been drafted by Kansas City?

Worthy is the 10th Texas Longhorn to be drafted by Kansas City. He joins defensive lineman Keondre Coburn (2023), running back Jamaal Charles (2008), linebacker Derrick Johnson (2005), defensive tackle Ken Hackemack (1990), defensive end Eric Holle (1984), linebacker Mark Lang (1984), offensive lineman Les Studdard (1981), defensive end Rick Burleson (1977) and offensive lineman Rick Thurman (1976).

Texas reacts to Worthy being drafted by Kansas City

In a statement released by Texas on Thursday night, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said that "Xavier is a perfect fit in that explosive Chiefs offense. He obviously has electric, world class speed and clearly is a threat to go the distance any time he touches the ball, but he probably plays with more toughness than people give him credit for. He’s got the plethora of the route tree he can run, really understands coverages, is a highly intelligent football player, and can absolutely run all day. He really dedicated himself to grow in all facets of his game in his three years with us and became a great leader, too. He had a great freshman year where he made an immediate impact, but I loved the perseverance he showed coming out of year two when he dealt with some injuries, and then what he was able to do last year. He was a critical part of all the success we had – the Big 12 Championship, College Football Playoff and having one of the best offenses in the country. He made big plays, critical catches, was a much-improved blocker, and just did it all for us every time out.

"It goes without saying, the speed is real and will make a big-time difference in the NFL. And the thing about Xavier is he ran that time, but that’s the way he practices every single day. Every rep is full speed. He has the ability to take the top off the defense, but he’s much more than that. He has tremendous route running ability and is a tireless worker at that. He has a very high football IQ and is extremely competitive. He gives you flexibility in the punt return game because he was a gamebreaker in that area, too. X is going to be an outstanding pro in every way, and Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes and the two-time Super Bowl Champions got them a great player and person. I’m so fired up to watch him in the NFL, he’s got a great career ahead of him and is in an awesome place for his skillset."