The Kansas City Chiefs received a notable loss last week when WR Rashee Rice was carted off with a knee injury. While there is still some uncertainty regarding the outlook of the injury, Rice has been placed on IR meaning he will be out for at least the next four games. It is positive news that he has not been ruled out for the season just yet, but Rice’s absence will be a massive loss within the Chiefs offense.
In his absence, Xavier Worthy will be taking on a more notable role in the offense. The 28th overall pick in this year’s draft has already flashed his abilities and will be even more important moving forward. But will this increased opportunity allow him to climb the Rookie of the Year race?
Just four weeks into the NFL season there has already been some notable line movement on DraftKings Sportsbook. Here is a look at the top Offensive Rookie of the Year Candidates before Week 5 kicks off.
Xavier Worthy Rookie of the Year Outlook:
While there has been some significant line movement overall, Xavier Worthy entered the season with +2200 odds to win Rookie of the Year and sits in the same place after four weeks.
On the field, he has been targeted 15 times. He has converted that to nine receptions, 154 yards, and a pair of touchdowns. In addition, he has tallied five rush attempts for 39 yards and a touchdown. Worthy logged 63% of the offensive snaps in the opening week, 68% of snaps in week 2, 50% of snaps in Week 3, and 73% of snaps last week.
Kansas City will be looking to replace the production of Rice who has established himself as the top wide receiver within their offense. Through the opening three games this season Rice tallied 24 receptions for 288 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Rice has been targeted 29 times this season which leads the team. Travis Kelce is next up in this category with 21 and the Worthy falls third in this category.
While he has flashed in a few moments already, expect Andy Reid to be prepared to unleash Xavier Worthy in a way that has not been shown yet. He is among the most creative offensive minds the sport of football has seen. While Worthy still has to refine some of his route-running and wide-receiver skills, his breakaway speed makes him a big play threat that can be further utilized. Expect Reid to create some unique ways to receive the ball and for Worthy’s best moments of the season to be incoming.
Unfortunately, this may be a race that Worthy has drifted too far back in.
Jayden Daniels has played about as well as he possibly could through the opening four weeks and has climbed out to a massive -200 favorite. He leads the NFL in completion percentage and has thrown for 897 yards, three touchdowns, and just one interception while adding 218 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. It would take injury issues or some severe regression for Daniels to be overtaken as the favorite for Rookie of the Year.
Expect Xavier Worthy to make his impact felt and to be a far more important part of this Chiefs offense. But it is a better route to get involved in the player prop market during individual games or as a buy-now target in fantasy football leagues. Heading into this week his receiving prop sits at 42.5 yards and Worthy holds +145 odds of an anytime touchdown. Rookie of the Year isn’t the worst flyer to take, but don’t be rushing to DraftKings for the futures market here.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
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