Where Longhorns WRs Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell Are Projected To Land In The 2024 NFL Draft
After years of having some of the best wide receivers in the country, the Texas Longhorns hit somewhat of a dry spell in the talented pass catcher department.
This of course changed when Steve Sarkisian came to town, as the one recruit he brought in when he took the job ended up being Xavier Worthy. The speedster out of California was an immediate star for the Longhorns, shattering Texas freshman receiving records, but it was clear he needed a running mate.
The Longhorns brought in Isaiah Neyor among other names, but none were able to match Worthy's production, allowing for defenses to key in on him. That was until they landed Georgia pass catcher Adonai Mitchell.
In their lone season together, the two have combined for 124 catches for 1,782 yards, and have racked up 15 receiving touchdowns. They both are elite route runners and have game-breaking speed. Qualities that have led to them being projected as first-round picks in the upcoming NFL Draft by ESPN.
Texas Longhorns wide receivers Adonai Mitchell (5) and Xavier Worthy (1) celebrate a touchdown by Mitchell during the Big 12 Championship game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at AT&T stadium on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 in Arlington.
Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
If either Worthy or Mitchell are in fact drafted in the first round, it would be the first time since 2004 that a Texas pass catcher has gone in the first, as Roy Williams was the last to do so.
It would also mark the first time in program history that Texas has produced two first-round wide receivers in the same draft. Starting with Worthy, he is projected to end up going No. 18 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ESPN's Matter Miller provided a breakdown, expressing that the Bucs are in need of planning for life after Mike Evans.
"Mike Evans is potentially hitting free agency in March, and even if the perennial 1,000-yard receiver returns, he will turn 31 years old in August," wrote Miler. "It's time for Tampa Bay to invest in a younger top-tier pass-catcher, at least as long as one of the top four quarterbacks doesn't slip to No. 19. Worthy is fast and elusive with big-play ability. He has scored 25 touchdowns for Texas during the past three seasons and is a blur with the ball in his hands."
Similar to Worthy, Miller has Mitchell being drafted by a team that has won a Super Bowl recently, as he projects him to go No. 27 to the Kansas City Chiefs. He explained that aside from needing an option outside of the aging Travis Kelce, the Chiefs lead the league in dropped passes.
"The Chiefs lead the NFL in dropped passes (29), and go-to tight end Travis Kelce is in his age-34 season," wrote Miller. "It's time to upgrade the pass-catchers on the roster for Patrick Mahomes. Mitchell is a playmaker who moves the chains at 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds. He also has 10 touchdowns on 51 catches (just one drop) this season and consistently comes up big in crucial moments for the Longhorns."
Before they depart, the dynamic duo will look to lead Texas to their first title since Vince Young was behind center. Standing in their way in their semi-final game is the Washington Huskies.
