Tag: wide receiver

Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy: ‘Everybody dreams of playing with Patrick Mahomes’

Check out what #Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy had to say about playing with Patrick Mahomes during his introductory press conefrence.

Hundreds of prospects are still waiting to hear their name called at the 2024 NFL draft, and after a whirlwind first round, most are unaware of which team they will join.

The Kansas City Chiefs selected speedy wide receiver Xavier Worthy in the first round, and the union was a dream come true for the new rookie.

Worthy spoke with local media for the first time as a member of the Chiefs late on Thursday night. The Zoom press conference revealed Worthy’s excitement about playing with Patrick Mahomes and being selected by Kansas City.

“Everybody dreams of playing with Patrick Mahomes, [he is] one of the greatest QBs of all time,” Worthy started. “To be able to play for him, everybody talks about it, but I’ve been saying for a while that I’m going to be a Chief. So I just put it in the air, and now that I’m here, it’s amazing.”

Worthy was a consistent threat at Texas when he was healthy and should fit in well with Mahomes, who has spoken highly of him at different points this offseason.

Wisconsin offers impressive class of 2026 wide receiver from Illinois

Wisconsin offers impressive class of 2026 wide receiver from Illinois

The Wisconsin Badgers football team offered Zachary Washington, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound class of 2026 wide receiver from Illinois on Saturday. He’s a sophomore at St. Francis High School in Wheaton and still has two more years before making the leap to the collegiate level.

Washington was in attendance for the Badgers’ spring practice on Saturday for an unofficial visit, picking up a scholarship offer thereafter. He has now picked up five Division 1 offers, with Wisconsin the only Power Four school on the list.

Considering Washington’s overall size, Luke Fickell and his staff will look to take advantage of the program’s proximity to the wide receiver and reel him in for 2026.

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Broncos met with WR Je’Quan Burton ahead of NFL draft

The Broncos met with small-school prospect Je’Quan Burton ahead of the 2024 NFL draft. He’s likely being considered as a UDFA candidate.

The Denver Broncos met with Florida Atlantic wide receiver Je’Quan Burton at The College Gridiron Showcase in January, according to The Draft Wire’s Ryan Fowler.

Burton (5-10, 187 pounds) is a speedy prospect with a 40-yard dash time of 4.36 seconds, according to NFLDraftBuzz.com. He started his college career at Southern Illinois, where he appeared in seven games from 2018-2019.

Burton then attended Iowa Central in 2020 before transferring to Florida Atlantic in 2021. Over the last three years with the Owls, Burton hauled in 84 receptions for 1,277 yards and nine touchdowns. His best season came in 2022 when he posted career highs in catches (33), receiving yards (517) and touchdowns (four).

In addition to his receiving ability, Burton also returned 25 kickoffs for 483 yards in college, averaging 19.3 yards per return. Burton is projected to go undrafted next week. The Broncos are likely considering him as a potential college free agent candidate.

The 2024 NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27. We are tracking all of Denver’s pre-draft prospect visits on Broncos Wire.

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Broncos comment on Courtland Sutton skipping workout program

“I mean, it’s 100% voluntary,” GM George Paton said of Courtland Sutton skipping workouts. “It’s the first week of the offseason program.”

The Denver Broncos kicked off their voluntary offseason workout program on Monday and one notably absent player was wide receiver Courtland Sutton.

Sutton has just $2 million guaranteed in his contract this season and no guaranteed money in 2025. NFL Network reported earlier this week that the receiver is seeking a new contract.

Speaking at their pre-draft press conference on Thursday, Broncos coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton did not seem concerned about Sutton’s absence.

“The offseason program began on Monday and the turnout was great,” Payton said. “I’d say we are at 98 percent and the two or three individuals who aren’t here, I’ve just talked with all of them.”

When asked specifically about Sutton, Paton downplayed the receiver not reporting.

“I mean, it’s 100 percent voluntary,” Paton said. “It’s the first week of the offseason program. Sean has talked to Courtland; I’ve talked to Courtland. He’s in a good place, and I’ll just leave it at that.”

Payton and Paton were not asked about the possibility of a trade, but if the team does not plan to give Sutton a raise, trading him could be an option. After scoring 10 touchdowns last fall, Sutton is entering his seventh season in the NFL. He will turn 29 years old in October.

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Robert Griffin III: WR Xavier Legette, Chiefs are a ‘match made in heaven’

Robert Griffin III told his followers on Twitter that the #Chiefs would be a perfect landing spot for South Carolina WR Xavier Legette

The Kansas City Chiefs are predicted to be in the market for a wide receiver when the 2024 NFL Draft kicks off in Detroit, Michigan next week, and former Heisman winner Robert Griffin III told users on social media who he hopes the team picks.

Griffin took to Twitter to tell his followers that South Carolina’s Xavier Legette was his top fit for Kansas City, calling the pair a “match made in heaven” who could help the Chiefs both on the boundary and in the slot.

While some media members seem to think Kansas City will look to draft a wide receiver in the first round, others say the Chiefs could be wise to hold off at the position until Day 2, when Legette is expected to come off the board.

The NFL draft is hard to predict, but with a week remaining before prospects start receiving phone calls, Legette and Kansas City appear to be a likely pairing.

Miami Dolphins expected to pick up Jaylen Waddle’s fifth-year option

Former Alabama wide receiver and Miami Dolphins star is expected to have his fifth-year option picked up.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide football wide receiver Jaylen Waddle was the sixth overall selection in the 2021 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. Pairing him with his former college quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has proven to be a very smart move. Now, Waddle is expected to have his fifth-year option picked up by the Dolphins.

Waddle broke the NFL record for most receptions by a receiver in his rookie season. Since then, star receiver Tyreek Hill has joined the team, which led to Waddle’s role on the offense shrinking some. However, that has not prevented him from being a valuable member of the team’s receiving corps.

In 2023, Waddle reeled in 72 passes on 104 targets for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns. He and Hill are often considered to be one of the strongest receiving duos in the entire league.

Miami’s general manager, Chris Grier, shared with reporters that the franchise plans on picking up his fifth-year option before the upcoming deadline to do so.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover Waddle and other former Alabama players in the NFL as the 2024 offseason progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Report: Broncos WR Courtland Sutton had ankle surgery

Broncos WR Courtland Sutton underwent ankle surgery this offseason, according to 9News, but it doesn’t seem to be serious.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton underwent ankle surgery this offseason, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Sutton injured his ankle in the team’s 2023 season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders, a 27-14 loss on the road. Klis reported that it “doesn’t seem” like the team or Sutton is concerned, which seemingly suggests it was a minor procedure.

The Broncos picked up Sutton’s $2 million guarantee in March, but the receiver did not report to the start of voluntary workouts on Monday as he seeks a new contract. The receiver has been working out daily in Florida, according to Klis.

Sutton, 28, is set to have a base salary of $13 million this year, but only $2 million is guaranteed. His salary will increase to $13.5 million in 2025, with none of it guaranteed. Coming off a 10-touchdown season, Sutton now seems to be seeking more security.

The next mandatory session for Denver’s players is minicamp in June.

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Broncos WR Courtland Sutton skipping offseason workouts in contract dispute

Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton is skipping the team’s (voluntary) offseason workouts as he seeks a new contract.

The Denver Broncos kicked off their (voluntary) offseason workout program on Monday and there was a notable absence.

Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton did not report to the team’s facility “as he seeks a new contract,” according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Because these workouts are voluntary, Sutton will not face any fines.

It’s a big statement for the receiver to make, though, because the team had great attendance under new head coach Sean Payton in 2023. The most notable player to skip workouts last spring was kicker Brandon McManus, and he was cut.

Denver probably won’t cut Sutton, but there have been rumblings about the possibility of a trade. Sutton has also written cryptic messages on social media, prompting speculation that he’s unhappy about his status with the club.

The Broncos already traded Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns earlier this year, so they’ll be thin at WR if they also send Sutton packing.

Sutton is set to have a base salary of $13 million this year, but only $2 million is guaranteed. His salary will increase to $13.5 million next year with no guaranteed money. The receiver is presumably seeking more security as he enters his age-29 season.

Sutton hauled in 59 receptions for 772 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023.

Denver’s top wide receivers are Sutton, Mavin Mims, Tim Patrick, Josh Reynolds, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Jalen Virgil and Brandon Johnson.

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DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles agree to contract extension

WR DeVonta Smith and the Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to terms on a three-year extension. The former Alabama receiver gets PAID.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide football wide receiver DeVonta Smith has received a hefty contract extension from the Philadelphia Eagles, according to NFL network insider Ian Rapoport. Smith’s new deal is worth $75 million over three seasons.

Smith was a star player for the Crimson Tide during his time in Tuscaloosa, and finished his collegiate career with a national championship and a Heisman Trophy, a rare instance where a wide receiver won the coveted award.

After being selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Eagles, Smith immediately became a valuable offensive weapon for the franchise. Through three seasons, he has a per-season average of 80 receptions for 1,060 yards and six touchdowns.

His time in the NFL is just getting started, and the front office in Philadelphia wanted to make sure he stays a member of the Eagles.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Smith and other former Alabama players in the NFL as the 2024 offseason progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Day 2 of NFL Draft potential sweet spot for Colts to address WR

Although wide receiver is a need for the Colts, it looks like Day 2 of the NFL Draft could be the sweet spot for them to tackle that need.

The Colts could use additional playmaking on offense; however, as we inch closer to the NFL Draft, it seems to be becoming less likely that they will spend their 15th overall pick on the receiver position.

At the top of this wide receiver class are Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers. At the top of tier two is LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr., who could be in play for the Colts’ when they are on the clock.

However, in terms of options at the receiver position at this stage of the draft, Thomas may be the only one in play for the Colts. In the NFL Draft, options and flexibility are king, and other positions of need that the Colts have, like cornerback and edge rusher, could better provide that.

Potentially available for the Colts when they are picking at cornerback could be some combination of Quinyon Mitchell, Terrion Arnold, Cooper DeJean, or Nate Wiggins. At edge rusher, Laiatu Latu or Jared Verse could be available options.

This also happens to be a very loaded wide receiver draft class. Recently, PFF graded all 10 position groups based on the high-end talent and overall depth of the draft class, and the receiver position received the highest marks.

Of the top 100 prospects on PFF’s big board, a whopping 21 of those players are receivers. Meaning that if the Colts don’t tackle that need right away, chances are they will have the opportunity to find that impact player on Day 2.

Lastly, from a value standpoint, the second round of the draft has been a sweet spot for teams in terms of finding top wide receiver talent. In 2024, five of the 10 highest-paid receivers in football are former second-round selections.

With the top three receivers, likely four quarterbacks, some offensive tackles, and perhaps tight end Brock Bowers all being selected before the Colts are even on the clock, that is going to push several of the top defenders in this draft class down, increasing the chances that GM Chis Ballard chooses to address that side of the ball rather than offense in the first round.

And if there are several prospects available that the Colts like when they are picking, that could create the opportunity for them to trade down and accumulate more draft capital.