Xavier Worthy to the Eagles? It may seem far-fetched, but as the 2024 NFL Draft draws closer, some see the lightning-fast wide receiver wearing midnight green next year.
Worthy arrived in Texas as a four-star recruit out of Fresno, California in 2021. As a freshman, he led the team with 62 receptions, 981 yards and 12 touchdowns including a career-long 75-yard score against Oklahoma.
His 1,014 yards in 2023 were also a career-best as were his 371 yards returning punts, but it took a record-breaking 4.21 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine to get most people’s attention.
He caught Philadelphia’s attention as the Eagles met and broke down film with Worthy in Indianapolis. Of course, the Birds arguably have the NFL’s best wide receiver duo in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith but could look to upgrade their No. 3 receiver.
This Eagles offense would be must-see TV 🍿 pic.twitter.com/tbTj96eW6a
— PFF (@PFF) March 28, 2024
And that’s exactly what they’ll do according to Pro Football Focus. In their latest mock draft, analyst Brad Spielberger cites Worthy’s understanding of angles and leverage to explain why he’ll land with Philadelphia at pick No. 22.
Worthy’s speed with the space created by A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith downfield could be lethal in this offense that needs to reinvent itself in 2024 and beyond, including as a quick outlet against the blitz.
Blitz pickup was a problem for the Eagles in 2023, but so was the secondary. With a pair of thirty-something cornerbacks and injuries at safety, Philadelphia allowed 252.7 yards per game to opposing quarterbacks, second-most in the NFL.
That’s what makes Spielberger’s draft so confusing. With obvious needs at cornerback and safety, he still has the team passing on talented cornerbacks like Iowa’s Cooper DeJean, Clemson’s Nate Wiggins and Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry.
Worthy grew up a fan of longtime Eagle DeSean Jackson, but the team doesn’t need another Jackson with Brown and Smith on the roster. But another Brian Dawkins or Malcolm Jenkins will do.
