2025 Fantasy Football: Why Xavier Worthy Is a Draft Bust to Avoid
As the 2025 fantasy football draft approaches, Kansas City Chiefs' Xavier Worthy is still a divisive player. As a boom-or-bust deep threat taken in the draft, Worthy's fantasy season was a disappointment for fantasy owners, and his position in a deep roster is always under threat. In Andrew Cooper's latest video breakdown, the following are some reasons why you shouldn't be drafting Worthy at his current WR25 ADP (early fourth round) in 2025.
Worthy's Disappointing Rookie Season
Cooper has very grave concerns with Worthy's 2024 campaign, pointing out with high hopes the speedy wide receiver did not provide steady production. Hyped as being a deep threat and able to "make big crazy plays," Worthy did not have one game in the regular season with more than 80 receiving yards. His highest Super Bowl game—more than 100 yards—came in garbage time, and one that Cooper says is not indicative of steady play for fantasy. With Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown out for most of 2024, Worthy was unable to even utilize 10-target games for a breakout game. Instead, his production relied on quick screens and a few added carries, not the type of role befitting his reputation as a speedster. This absence of elite production creates profound doubts about his 2025 fantasy worth.
Crowded Chiefs Depth Chart Caps Worthy's Role
Worthy's largest test in 2025 is the Chiefs' talented deep-passing corps. Cooper explains that with Rashee Rice back on duty as bread-and-butter screen and short-yardage option, Hollywood Brown back to deep-threat status, and Travis Kelce off a 97-catch campaign (after sitting Week 18), Worthy is highly tested in the target department. Kelce's giant target share—has been called potentially "the worst ever 100-catch season" for a tight end—constricts Worthy's chances even tighter. Worthy's 2024 workload, which was driven by screens and increased carries, was more out of necessity and not design, and Cooper isn't sure he retains those looks with Rice and Brown in the picture. Throw in the Chiefs' stout defense and solid ground attack, which can cut down on passing chances, and Worthy's route to weekly targets is clouded, making his lofty ADP unjustified.
Fantasy Football Outlook: Use at Own Risk
For fantasy owners, Worthy's ADP of WR25 is a trap. Cooper's hesitation is justified: Worthy's short-pass dependence and few regular-season 100-yard performances indicate he's more of a boom-or-bust WR3 than an every-week WR2. The deep Chiefs offense, solid defense, and running game are the top of his ceiling. Rather than taking Worthy in the fourth round, Cooper recommends playing it safe and landing higher-target-share players. For those who still value Worthy's speed, he's a late-round expert in best-ball leagues where his occasional home run can flourish. Refer to the Fantasy Alarm draft guide for Cooper's complete rankings to inform your approach.
Overall, although Worthy's potential with Patrick Mahomes is enticing, his fantasy value in 2025 is tempered by target competition and an inconsistent rookie season. Unless his ADP falls or injuries open the door for him, Cooper suggests fading Worthy for more stable players for your 2025 fantasy lineup.
Player News
Pete Carroll told reporters Sunday that the Raiders are in the market for a backup quarterback.
No surprise, as the raiders will be without QB Aidan O’Connell for up to eight weeks with his fractured wrist. One name that has been floated as a potential replacement is Ryan Tannehill, and even with the 37-year-old sitting out the 2024 season, it would make sense to acquire a player with his experience/relative success rather than roll with Cam Miller as the backup for Geno Smith.
Rams waived QB Dresser Winn.
The Rams let go of Winn, along with 10 others, as they work their way toward the final 53-player roster. Waived alongside Winn are TE McCallan Castles, S Malik Dixon-Williams, OL Ben Dooley, DL Decarius Hawthorne, OG John Leglue, C Mike McAllister, OLB Josh Pearcy, DL Da’Jon Terry. The Rams released OG John Leglue and LB Tony Fields II.
Browns released QB Tyler Huntley.
The Browns certainly weren’t going to keep five quarterbacks, and Huntley was only in camp because of their plethora of injuries at the position. He’ll likely be a practice squad player for a new team in the coming days.
Tanner McKee suffered a fractured right thumb during the Eagles’ Week 3 preseason game against the Jets.
The fact that the Eagles traded for Sam Howell on Sunday is probably not coincidental. McKee’s status for Week 1 of the season is up in the air now due to the thumb injury. If McKee can’t go, Howell will all but certainly be the backup for that game against the Cowboys.
Kyle Williams (head0 returned to practice for the Patriots on Sunday.
Williams, 22, took a hard hit to the head during the Week 3 preseason tilt against the Patriots. The third-round pick is expected to have a significant role in the Patriots’ offense in 2025.
Vikings released QB Brett Rypien.
That means the Vikings are moving forward with J.J. McCarthy, recent signee Carson Wentz, and undrafted free agent rookie Max Brosmer for the 2025 season. Rypien remains highly regarded for his veteran status, something that could lead to another opportunity elsewhere in short order.