Travis Kelce on Chiefs drafting Xavier Worthy: ‘He’s an all-around football guy’

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Xavier Worthy in the first round of the draft, and Travis Kelce loves it. On his New Heights podcast, the star tight end shared his thoughts on the Chiefs taking Worthy who was a standout wide receiver and return specialist for the Texas Longhorns.

“It’s looking like [Patrick Mahomes] has another extremely fast man to throw the ball deep to – or just get the ball to in his hands, because a lot of his highlights, you see, he catches the ball and he’s splitting defenders and making guys miss,” Kelce said. “He’s an all-around football guy. He’s not just track speed.”

Andy Reid reveals Xavier Worthy’s role for 2024 season

Worthy gives Mahomes an explosive weapon on the outside, similar to what Tyreek Hill brought to the team until he was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2022. After taking Worthy, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid revealed what his role will be.

“We’re glad to add him on board,” Reid said, per Sports Illustrated. “We think he’s a heck of a football player, number one. He does a few different things. He’s a good wide receiver and also a good special teams returner, and he’ll end up doing both to start things off with. He’ll just work into that rotation when we get him, the wide receiver rotation, with Hollywood (Brown) and Rashee (Rice) and (Travis) Kelce and the other fellas. It should give Pat another weapon there in which to use.”

Reid also talked about Worthy not being a big receiver as he’s only 165 pounds. “He’s not a big kid, at least, weight-wise,” Reid said. “He’s got good height, he’s just not very heavy. But I think you’ll see this toughness that he’s got, which jumped out at me. And then when you talk to their coach, Coach (Steve) Sarkisian and I are close. He kept talking about how smart he was, he’s got great football instincts, and he’s a tremendous worker. In this offense, you’ve got to be able to do that and have those characteristics.”

The Chiefs, who have won the last two Super Bowls, did not have an explosive passing game in 2023. Kelce led the way with 93 receptions with 984 yards and five touchdowns, and Rice was right behind him with 79 catches for 983 yards and scores. In his final season at Texas, Worthy caught 75 passes for 1,014 yards and five touchdowns.