Patriots Expected To Land Dynamic Playmaking WR In 2024

The New England Patriots are coming off of a really disappointing season and head coach Bill Belichick has serious priorities right now. The Patriots need help in several aspects and their passing game needs serious boost. It’s interesting to note that the Patriots decided to pass top receivers in the first-round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Enter Xavier Worthy. The playmaking WR could be an ideal option for the Patriots.

The Draft Network suggests that Worthy could be the Patriots’ first-round pick in its “way-too-early 2024 NFL mock draft.” According to NBC Sports Philadelphia, Belichick will use his No.9 pick to get Worthy.

“Very slightly built but very talented receiver who would add some juice to a Patriots offense that hasn’t ranked higher than 15th since 2018, when you-know-who was still there,” NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Rueben Frank wrote.

“He stands 6-1, 165 pounds but has world-class speed – he may run sub-4.3 at the Combine next year – and plays tougher than his size. He’s outstanding tracking deep balls and also has punt return ability. His size may scare some teams away, but he has unique traits and production that should put him in the first half of the first round.”

The playmaking WR could help the Patriots win

In the past two seasons, Worthy had 122 receptions for 1,741 yards and 21 touchdowns. He was also an efficient punt and kick returner with the Longhorns. In two seasons, Worthy returned 18 kicks with a 10.7 yards per return average. In 2021, the talented player averaged 16.5 yards per punt return.

NFLDraftBuzz.com says Worthy is “at his best working space” on pass plays and returns, adding that he “has elite balance tight-roping the sideline in in-and-out of his breaks.” Of course, all players have weaknesses, and Worthy had some issues with his press coverage defense.

New England needs serious receivers heading into the new season. They signed JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency, but lost Jakobi Meyers and Nelson Agholor.

It’s a long offseason and Belichick will have to find the best fits for his new team, otherwise the Patriots will miss the big game again.