Breaking: Raiders Agree Deal To Sign $76 million Record-Breaking WR
The Las Vegas Raiders’ needs at wide receiver and cornerback in this year’s draft have received more attention than their needs for a quarterback, cornerback, and offensive tackle. This offseason, the team cut Hunter Renfrow, while DeAndre Carter remains a free agent.
The Raiders may choose to address the wide receiver position in the draft as they haven’t shown much interest in free agent wide receivers this summer. According to Bleacher Report’s Derrik Klassen, Texas’ Xavier Worthy would fit in well in Las Vegas.
Klassen stated in a column published on March 28 that “someone who breaks the 40-yard dash record doesn’t really need an explanation.” Despite his diminutive stature, Xavier Worthy embodies speed and explosive power. He also has a certain quality as a route runner. He is situated somewhere between Jameson Williams and Mecole Hardman.
Worthy recently made waves at the NFL Scouting Combine when he ran a 4.21 40-yard dash, which broke the record of 4.22 previously held by John Ross. If the Raiders franchise is known for anything, it’s for valuing speed at skill positions. Worthy would certainly be a fit in that regard. That said, the Raiders already have wide receiver Tre Tucker on the roster, who is one of the fastest players in the NFL.
What Round Is Xavier Worthy Going to Get Drafted?
Numerous quick wide receivers who are picked too high because of their speed and never live up to their draft position can be found throughout NFL draft history. Not many mock drafts appear to have Xavier Worthy taken in the first round, suggesting that teams may have learnt from the past. Josh Edwards of CBS Sports recently released a mock draft in which Worthy was selected in the middle of the second round.
Nonetheless, there are grounds for optimism regarding Worthy’s potential for success in the NFL. He can make plays because he has over 700 receiving yards in each of his three seasons at Texas. His speed may entice a team to utilize a late first-round choice on him, but even then, he is likely to fall to the second round.
Draft Profile on Xavier Worthy
One concern with Xaiver Worthy is his lack of size. He only weighs 165 pounds, which is very lean for an NFL player. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com detailed why this could be an issue for teams.
Zierlein stated in a scouting report, “Worthy’s draft slotting could come down to draft-room debates weighing his elite speed versus his thin frame.” “If given the opportunity to explore vertically or across the hashes versus man coverage, Worthy will find separation, but he lacks the play strength and release quickness necessary to outmaneuver a strong NFL press. His ability to attack quickly gives him a level of threat above the surface and should create more space for teammates to operate in. He must demonstrate that he can withstand a more physically demanding style of football because he lacks the physical tools to catch when disputed. For clubs trying to add a legitimate field stretcher, Worthy is a unique prospect, but there are some concerns that could lead to a larger ceiling-to-floor differential.
