2024 Chicago Bears Draft Target: Xavier Worthy |
Now that the Combine and Pro days have come and gone, this is what we like to call the calm before the storm at least when it comes to the NFL draft, which is set to take place two weeks from Thursday in the Motor City. Until that first pick is made, Chicago will remain the center of attention, although it does seem like a foregone conclusion that they will, at the very least, be taking Caleb Williams as No. 1 overall.
What they do after that is an entirely different question, as the Bears also pick No. 9 but are viewed as a candidate that could trade down to acquire assets. However, if the Bears are going to hang onto the No. 9 pick, they will have plenty of options, and if their potential No. 1 pick has anything to say about it, he has his sights set on a specific WR who would be a good fit in Chicago. Enter Xavier Worthy, who is actually visiting Halas Hall as part of their 30-prospects-in-30-day visits a team can use. For those unfamiliar with the former Texas Longhorn, Worthy lit the Social Media world on fire when he was clocked at 4.21 for his 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine. That set the record for the fastest time ever recorded, and teams have started to take notice of him. However, as you have seen in the past, speed can only get you so far, and sometimes, it doesn't translate well in the NFL if that is all you are about. Sure, Worthy is known for his speed, and that is a massive part of his game, but he has so much more to offer than that. Williams feels the same way, as his recent tweet on X basically said to watch the tape on Worthy. It's no secret that the Bears have tried to incorporate more speed into their offense, and what better way to add more speed than by bringing in the fastest player ever to run at the combine? Sure, no one is saying to waste a first-round pick on him, but should the Bears trade back and get more assets, there is no reason why Chicago wouldn't target him in the second round. Speed kills in the NFL if used properly. Just look at Tyreke Hill and how he makes defenses look silly. However, if not used properly, speed won't matter if you can't make plays. At the very least, Worthy has proven to be a legitimate playmaker and has shown he is more than just the speed that comes with him. Worthy is a rare breed that has size and speed, which makes him a matchup nightmare for defensive coordinators to prepare for. This past season, Worthy pulled in 75 receptions for 1014 yards and five touchdowns. The year before that, Worthy put up a 60-760-9 line. In 2021, Worthy contributed with 62 catches, 981 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns. It doesn't take a seasoned NFL Scout to look at those numbers and pick out a few things, as Worthy has the playmaking ability to be one of the better WR options in this year's class. Not only do the numbers pop out and get you excited, but Worthy seems to be the type of prospect who blends world-class speed and NFL playmaking ability. Those are the types of players that most scouts drool over, and he will not come without plenty of suitors. Listed as the No. 35 overall prospect, Worthy is viewed as a second-rounder but could go late in the first round, given his speed. Taking him No. 9 would be a massive reach, but should the Bears trade back and select him around No. 25, most fans could live with that. The 40-yard dash king is extremely twitchy and can take the top off the defense. He plays inside and outside. He was used in various ways at Texas but is at his best on double moves, shot plays, and pure takeoffs. He is dynamic off the line and can tap into a second and third gear down the field. He also is crispy out of the break when asked to work back downhill. His hands have been spotty over his career, but he was much more reliable this past fall than he had been before. After the catch, he has a jet pack on his back. He explodes away from defenders and racks up big plays. If you pair that with Williams, big things could happen for the Bears offense as they look to turn heads in 2024.
