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Xavier Worthy's Surprising New Role Will Be on Full Display Against Texans

The rookie will have his best game of the season on Saturday thanks to an expanded route tree.

By Joe Summers

Dec 8, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) runs the ball as Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Cam Hart (20) defends during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Dec 8, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) runs the ball as Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Cam Hart (20) defends during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images / Denny Medley-Imagn Images
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Chiefs rookie WR Xavier Worthy has seen his role slowly change in a major wau over the last several weeks and is ready to be fully unleashed against the Texans in Week 16.

While Worthy began the season as a pure deep threat and gadget player, he's expanded his route tree in the offense in recent weeks. The deep ball connection between Worthy and Patrick Mahomes hasn't clicked yet, so the Chiefs are utilizing Worthy with more underneath routes, letting him use his speed to generate yards after the catch.

Rashee Rice became a breakout star using those same routes. Worthy looks well on his way to accomplishing the same thing during this stretch run of the season.

Xavier Worthy Set for Breakout Game vs. Texans

On the season, Worthy has an average depth of target of 10.7 yards. However, his marks during the last three games were 8.9, 3.4, and 9.7 yards. That doesn't even include the TD above, which technically counted as a run.

During those games, Worthy notched 33, 24, and 36 yards after the catch, three of five best marks of the entire season. He's got 24 targets during that stretch, so the Chiefs are clearly trying to get Worthy involved more to utilize his skillset.

His receiving yards prop is set at 40.5 yards at FanDuel Sportsbook. There's good reason to believe he'll hit the over, especially considering the finer points of the matchup. Patrick Mahomes is expected to play but won't be 100%. As a result, he'll need to utilize those shorter routes on quick passes and let his receivers generate extra yards.

Hollywood Brown is suiting up as well. While he gets familiar and comfortable with the offense, he could serve as the vertical stretcher that Worthy has been. That'd free up space underneath for Worthy, DeAndre Hopkins, and Travis Kelce, giving Chiefs fans a glimpse of what the offense was supposed to look like all season long.

Houston surrenders the seventh-most fantasy football points to receivers. Worthy has at least 41 receiving yards in five straight games, so sportsbooks clearly haven't caught up to the trends and the rookie's new role.

Expect a massive game from Worthy as he cements himself as a true difference-maker moving forward.

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