New York Giants Draft Prospect: WR Xavier Worthy

Let's take a look at a potential Day 2 receiver with special teams ability.

Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas / Ricardo B. Brazziell / USA TODAY NETWORK

Xavier Worthy, WR

Height: 5’11
Weight: 165 lbs
Hands: 8 ¾”
Arms: 31 ⅛”
Class: Junior  
School: Texas
Stats

MEASUREMENTS

40-yard dash: 4.21
10-yard split: 1.49
Vertical Jump: 41”
Broad Jump: 10’11”

He was a former four-star recruit out of Central East High School in Fresno, California, where he was the eighth prospect from California and the 13th WR recruit in the 2021 class. Worthy was the story of the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine when he beat John Ross’ record for the fastest 40-yard dash in Combine history.

Worthy’s 26 career touchdown receptions rank third all-time in Texas football history, and he ranks fourth all-time in career receiving yards (2,755), sixth in receptions (197), eighth in punt return yards (564). He was the 2021 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, the AP Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, and he was a True Freshman All-American.

He was also a two-time First-Team All Big-12 selection (2021 & 2023), while earning Second-Team in 2022. He averaged 14.2 yards per punt return on 40 career punt returns.

Strengths

* Rarest of speed- smooth glider
* Rare burst and acceleration - natural separator
* Rare first and second-gear
*“Bye-Bye-Bye” type burst has the defense singing NSync
*Fluid athlete with feather feet
--^^Good baseline for route running
* Quickly - and smoothly - gets in and out of his breaks
* Was more than just a deep threat - Texas emphasized getting the football in his hands (113 targets in 2023)
* Will break the DB’s angle, and consistently proved that in college
* Lateral agility and flexibility allow him to avoid the jam in press
* Solid processing to find spaces in zone coverage away from defenders
* Flashed good tracking ability with leverage on CB on a vertical plane
* Can rise and high point the football when stationary/square to QB
* Good hands when the pass is accurate - will extend away and secure
* More physical than one would think in YAC situations
--Oklahoma State Q2 2:50
--TCU Q2 1:18
--Wyoming Q1 4:48
--Alabama Q1 14:31; Q2 7:21
* Lowers his shoulder for every extra yard when on the sideline
* Makes people miss in confined spaces with agility, nimble feet
* Twitchy athlete with elite short-area quickness
* Successful punt returner

[View more draft prospect scouting profiles.]

Weaknesses

• Thin-framed and high-hipped
• Didn’t see much press, but struggled to get off a jam when the opponent’s punch was accurate (he typically avoided the punch all together, which will be more difficult in the NFL)
• Winning through contact in the pre-catch phase of the game is inconsistent due to only marginal overall play strength
• Inconsistent hands - drops too many passes, especially if the pass is less than ideal
• Marginal strength at the catch point
• Can improve adjusting and judging the ball in the air
• Not a contested-catch winner (when he doesn’t blow by his opponent)
• Just went through the motions when the play was obviously going away from him - not the best salesman in this regard

Summary

Worthy’s speed is the defining trait of his game, but he does possess more nuance and has quality aspects to his game that go beyond his speed and acceleration. Yes, his speed will open up any offense in the NFL, and yes, he’s one broken angle away from a touchdown, but he also possesses more wiggle and physicality than he’s given credit for with the football in his hands.  

He is the ultimate speed separator. His loose hips and light feet allow him to have a firm baseline of traits for running successful routes. He needs to improve his strength at the catch point and be more reliable with his hands. He flashes the ability to extend away from his frame, when stagnant, and secure the football, but he is inconsistent and a bit unnatrual at adjusting to passes in traffic while on the move. 

His overall athletic traits and elite testing at the Combine could lead Worthy into the first round. I’m not quite there with his skill set, but speed and explosive plays are crucial to winning football games and dictating to the defense. Many NFL teams will try to pigeonhole Worthy into the Tyreek Hill role. He has a ways to go from a play-strength standpoint, but Worthy could be dynamic if he develops and becomes a more consistent player.

GRADE: 6.38

Nick Falato's Draft Grade Chart / Nick Falato

---

• Follow and like us on Facebook.
• Submit your questions for our mailbag.
• Follow Patricia Traina on Instagram.
• Check out the Giants Country YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe and like the LockedOn Giants YouTube Channel