Xavier Worthy

Drafted 28th overall last spring, Worthy had an odd rookie season that seemed equally defined by frequent TDs and near-misses. He had a rushing score and a receiving score in his NFL debut, immediately showing why the Chiefs took a shot on a 165-pound receiver with 4.21 speed, although it wasn't until Week 5 that he drew more than four targets in a game. Once Worthy saw more passes, each week seemed to include at least one or two plays where he was open for a big gain but either muffed the catch or Patrick Mahomes missed him. Their chemistry improved later, with Worthy catching 15 passes for 144 yards and two TDs in Weeks 16-17. Still, he finished the regular season with just six catches on 29 targets thrown 10-plus yards downfield, earning nearly all of his production on short throws and schemed touches. If you're a glass-half-full type, Worthy scored nine touchdowns (three rushing) and consistently led Kansas City's wideouts in playing time -- no small feat for one of the NFL's youngest players. The glass-half-full contingent grew considerably during the playoffs, when Worthy put up 5-45-0 (six targets), 6-85-1 (seven targets) and 8-157-2 (eight targets), the latter aided by a long TD in garbage time of the Super Bowl. The playoff outburst provides additional cause for optimism that Worthy can work in tandem with Rashee Rice to help return Kansas City's offense to where it was during Mahomes' first five seasons (2018-22) as a starter. When not injured or suspended, Rice represents tough competition for the short-area targets that Worthy made his living on for much of last season, while fellow wideout Marquise Brown is a threat to take deep looks. There's room for multiple pass catchers to thrive if the offense returns to elite status, but target competition becomes more of a concern for fantasy if KC's offense still looks like the 2022-23 version once both Rice and Worthy are playing. Read Past Outlooks