Chiefs Roster: Xavier Worthy’s debut went deeper than his 2 touchdowns

With Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season within the books, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs appear to be in a first-rate place to contend for Tremendous Bowl LIX. Offense was down throughout the league, and the Chiefs ended the season-opening slate on prime in effectivity.

The Chiefs’ offense averaged a league-high 7.1 yards per go play and in addition tied two groups for first downs by passing (15). The manufacturing occurred regardless of huge receiver Hollywood Brown being sidelined.

Rookie huge receiver Xavier Worthy produced 68 whole yards and two touchdowns towards the Baltimore Ravens, however he contributed rather more over the 34 snaps he performed on offense.

Right here’s a more in-depth have a look at Worthy’s electrical NFL debut:

Opening up the center of the sector

Worthy ran 23 routes for the Chiefs in Week 1; 11 had been categorized as vertical routes, in keeping with NFL Professional. One become an thrilling landing, however others resulted in open house for a teammate.

On this play, the Chiefs hurry to the road in a singular, heavy formation: each tight ends are within the backfield. This units up a play-action go towards the Ravens’ heavy personnel. The Chiefs flood the suitable aspect of the sector with routes, together with Worthy on a deep nook.

Worthy’s route not solely grabs the eye of the close to security, it additionally catches the attention of the bottom security, who continues gaining depth as Worthy works downfield. That opens up the center of the sector for huge receiver Justin Watson from the bottom. He has ample room to catch and switch upfield for extra yardage as a result of each safeties had been so deep.

Worthy additionally helped give the Chiefs an opportunity to seal the sport on offense. On third down, the Chiefs’ final offensive snap, Worthy releases vertically between the 2 deep safeties. The far security desires to drop into the center of the sector and doubtlessly decide up tight finish Travis Kelce coming throughout, however Worthy’s velocity to the opposite aspect of the sector forces that security to proceed gaining depth.

That takes away a assist defender for Ravens’ linebacker Roquan Smith, who’s now on an island with Kelce and huge receiver Rashee Rice working throughout the sector. That benefit practically ended the sport, however linebacker Trenton Simpson makes an instinctual play to observe Mahomes and get in the best way of a throw again to Rice.

Missed alternatives

Worthy solely touched the ball 3 times towards Baltimore, however there have been further alternatives for an enormous play that had been handed over.

On one play earlier than Worthy’s reverse landing on the opening drive, the Chiefs despatched him on a crossing sample, utilizing Rice because the on-ball receiver to assist in giving Worthy a free launch. With a step on the cornerback, Worthy is open throughout the center shortly.

Nonetheless, Mahomes is uncomfortable within the pocket and loses his dropback footwork earlier than the window between the linebacker and Kelce opens up. If Mahomes hung within the pocket a beat or two longer, Worthy could have scored on a protracted catch and run. No defender was in good place to chop him off after the catch.

On this third down within the purple zone, Worthy works throughout the sector towards man protection once more. The defender trailing him stays in good place, however Worthy nonetheless has a step on him to the sideline. Worthy can be extremely quick to clear the sturdy security, seeking to decide up a route over the center, and leaves him flat-footed, unable to defend the throw.

The go turns right into a leap ball as a consequence of stress on Mahomes, resulting in a back-footed go. If he had house to step into the throw, there’s a greater probability he can lead Worthy to the sideline and away from his defender for a completion — and presumably a 3rd landing.

Being an choice on clear-out routes

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson uncorked a go that traveled over 65 yards within the air throughout Week 1. We haven’t seen a bomb like that from Mahomes since he had huge receiver Tyreek Hill on his staff, however Worthy could present the two-time MVP with probabilities to make use of the arm cannon extra.

Right here, Worthy goes in movement and is used as a clear-out route on the surface, principally making an attempt to take zone defenders with him deep. Nonetheless, Worthy’s record-breaking velocity will get him on prime of the protection shortly.

Mahomes makes the intelligent play right here, checking down after not liking his choices over the center (plus left deal with Kingsley Suamataia provides option to stress). That stated, he might even see this and bear in mind comparable performs later this season. If nothing else is open, Mahomes’ “checkdown” may very well be launching a bomb downfield and letting Worthy monitor it.

The underside line

The Chiefs’ offense was nowhere close to its finest in Week 1, which ought to scare the remainder of the NFL. Regardless of the absence of Hollywood Brown, the Chiefs’ go sport was nonetheless environment friendly — and the staff nonetheless created massive performs when wanted.

Worthy was a a lot greater a part of the unit’s success than simply two touchdowns. His velocity is already opening issues up for the offense; when Brown’s again within the combine, it will likely be a nightmare for opposing secondaries.