Kansas City Chiefs first-round draft pick WR Xavier Worthy was turning heads at rookie minicamp over the weekend.
While Chiefs HC Andy Reid will be the first to tell you that there's more to Worthy than his blazing-fast speed, during padless throwing camps like rookie minicamp, that's the main thing on display. Even for players familiar with his game, like Kansas State WR Phillip Brooks, seeing Worthy's speed firsthand was inspiring.
"I know him from playing against him," Brooks told reporters on Monday. "I don't know him personally, but getting to know him, he's a real good guy. Going against him, obviously, he's super fast. I consider myself fast, but compared to him, I've got some work to do."
Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit indicated that Worthy's speed reminded him of one of his favorite NFL players: Eagles WR DeSean Jackson.
"Yeah, Xavier is quick," Rees-Zammit said, followed by a chuckle. "Xavier is quick. There's no surprise he broke the 40-yard record. Yeah, he's looking great out there."
Worthy would be delighted to know that fact, given that Jackson was also a player he idolized.
Rees-Zammit, of course, earned the nickname "Rees-Lightning" for the speed and quickness he displayed as a rugby player. So, he knows a thing or two about being fast, and Worthy's speed still left him in awe.
As for Chris Oladokun, who threw Worthy the ball during team drills all weekend, he delivered the best reaction of all.
"We drafted him in the first round for a reason," Oladokun said. "He's a dog."
After some drops on the first day of practice, Worthy didn't let the jitters get to him and kept building throughout the weekend.
"I think you guys saw it this weekend, people were dogging him for the first day," Oladokun said. "That's just a welcome to the league, but Xavier (Worthy) is going to do really well in this offense. I think we're all really excited about him. Saw what he can do this weekend in terms of spinning guys at the top of routes, how explosive he is, stretching the field, and also his YAC (yards after catch) ability."
Oladokun and Worthy connected on a pretty deep ball in practice where the rookie shook a defender atop his route. Oladokun delivered the ball and Worthy made a spectacular grab. That extra bit of speed is something you have to anticipate as a quarterback with a guy like Worthy, according to Oladokun.
"You may just have to get the ball out a step or two earlier," Oladokun said. "The guy runs a 4.21 (40-yard dash), so you've definitely got to adjust for that."
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