NFL Draft 2024 Rumors: Xavier Worthy Visiting Cardinals After Bears Meeting
April 9, 2024
On the heels of breaking the NFL scouting combine record with the fastest time in the 40-yard dash, Xavier Worthy is meeting with several teams that could be looking for a wide receiver early in the 2024 draft.
Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Texas wideout is meeting with the Arizona Cardinals today after visiting the Chicago Bears on Monday.
Worthy dazzled at the combine when he clocked an official time of 4.21 seconds in the 40, breaking the previous record of 4.22 seconds set by former Washington wide receiver John Ross in 2017.
The Cardinals and Bears both have picks in the top 10, though it seems unlikely Worthy will be selected that high. Arizona's first selection is at No. 4 overall.
Chicago owns picks at No. 1 and 9. It's assumed Caleb Williams is going to be taken with the first selection to give the franchise a long-term answer at quarterback.
If Worthy is on the radar for both teams, they could look to trade down in the first round to accrue more picks and get him closer to where his value seems to be. The Cardinals, in particular, are a popular trade-down candidate.
The New York Giants (No. 6), Minnesota Vikings (No. 11 and 23), Denver Broncos (No. 12) and Las Vegas Raiders (No. 13) could all be tempted to move if there is a quarterback they really like still on the board with the fourth pick, assuming the Bears, Washington Commanders and New England Patriots take signal-callers with the first three selections.
Chicago only has four picks in this year's draft, with none until No. 75 overall after the ninth selection. The team has invested heavily in wide receivers over the past year, starting with the acquisition of D.J. Moore from the Carolina Panthers as part of trade for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft.
The Bears also added Keenan Allen in a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers last month.
Arizona is already loaded with draft capital, including two in the first round and six of the top 90. Its second first-round pick at No. 27 overall could be a spot where it looks at Worthy. The Cardinals could also look to wait until the second round with the 35th pick.
The receiver room in Arizona is desperate for an infusion of talent. Tight end Trey McBride was the team's leading receiver last season with 825 yards. Marquise Brown, who led all Cardinals wideouts with 574 yards, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency.
B/R's NFL scouting department has Worthy ranked as the 50th-best prospect overall in this class. The 20-year-old recorded career-highs in receptions (75) and receiving yards (1,014) last season at Texas.