Xavier Worthy Receiving Comparisons To Former Reid Playmaker

For the first time with Brett Veach as general manager, the Chiefs selected a wide receiver in the first round of the draft. Of course, the name chosen in that spot was Xavier Worthy. The opinions on Worthy were mixed by NFL Draft media entering the actual selections last week. Obviously, his speed is electric, and it will add immediate explosiveness to Kansas City’s offense. But what some people are missing, is that Worthy is not just a one-trick pony who only adds speed. That has given Xavier Worthy some comparisons to a former Andy Reid playmaker, as a result.

At the NFL Combine, Worthy mentioned that DeSean Jackson was his idol growing up. “I’ve watched his film since I was five years old and he’s been my favorite player since,” Worthy said. Reid was part of drafting Jackson in Philadelphia in 2008. The wide receiver played his first five seasons under the tutelage of Reid, before the coach moved on to Kansas City. When Kansas City selected Worthy last Thursday, Tyreek Hill was the immediate comparison that was thrown out there. Yet, even Coach Reid himself compared Worthy more to a style like Jackson, rather than Hill.

What do those comparisons possibly mean for how the Chiefs view Xavier Worthy? Plus, what traits beyond the speed did Kansas City truly love? Let’s kick it off.

What To Make Of Jackson Comparisons

It is important to note that player comparisons are not necessarily apples to apples. But in the sense of Xavier Worthy and DeSean Jackson, each have been miscast as strictly speed demons. While that element of their games are considered to be nearly elite, it is just one piece of the puzzle. Their size may not blow anyone away on the program, so to speak. Yet, Worthy can play bigger than what his size may indicate, similar to how Jackson carried himself.

“They’re different (Xavier Worthy and Tyreek Hill). And he’ll put his own mark on things, once he gets a feel for it. That wasn’t necessarily the comparison, as much as it was him being a good football player who was a good wide receiver,” Coach Reid said. “Now you add in there the return ability. I’ve had some guys like that- Tyreek, DeSean Jackson- probably body type a little more like DeSean.”

Reid and the team also discussed the toughness and smart nature of Xavier Worthy, fueling the comparisons to DeSean Jackson even further. That helps to make up for a frame that is not as thick as other wide receivers. But at the same time, defenses are not allowed to make the same kind of hits today, compared to Jackson’s heyday. If that toughness continues to resonate for Worthy after the catch and during routes, these comparisons may be extremely close.

How Chiefs View Worthy As Immediate Contributor

Due to the situation surrounding Rashee Rice, the Chiefs may need Xavier Worthy to have a hand in the production early on, anyways. But for this Kansas City offense, they likely still viewed him as an immediate contributor, nonetheless. First and foremost, Worthy should benefit from how the Chiefs utilize their wide receivers pre-snap. No one is going to continually align in the same spot, as KC will throw out different formations and move their receivers around.

This could create easier catch and run opportunities for Worthy in space. It is not like he is useless as a route runner or in separation, either. The sharp, yet subtle, breaks that Worthy makes increases the throwing window for his quarterback. And similar to DeSean Jackson from those comparisons, Xavier Worthy showed a great understanding of leverage while at Texas.

With him being a versatile piece, the Chiefs likely view Worthy as a threat at all three levels. He can offer versatility out of the slot or out wide. Additionally, Kansas City knows that he is not just a vertical field stretcher, due to his savviness as a route runner.

Kansas City Offense Becomes More Vast

With a player like Xavier Worthy in the fold, things will open up a lot more for other pieces on the Chiefs offense. The deep passing game has been lacking over the last couple of years for Kansas City. But with threats like Worthy and Marquise Brown, opposing defenses will have to respect the down the field passing aspect a lot more. There is truly just more trustworthy ability in this year’s wide receiver room for Kansas City. You would have to think that this creates more favorable one-on-one matchups for many of the pass catchers in the Chiefs offense.

Xavier Worthy does not just make the KC offense more vast. He makes them as deep as they have arguably been since the first couple of years with Patrick Mahomes as the starter. Back in those seasons, defenses had a plethora of weapons to actually worry about as threats. And for someone like Worthy, he simply offers items that cannot be coached. With that in mind, the Chiefs will hope this addition furthers the offense along immediately, following some up-and-down results last year.