How Kansas City Chiefs signing Hollywood Brown could impact Xavier Worthy, first round of NFL Draft

Did the Chiefs find their missing speedster in Marquise “Hollywood” Brown? And if so, does this mean the Super Bowl champions are out of the receiver market in the NFL Draft?

Next month’s draft may see a four-decade-old record fall for most quarterbacks selected in the first round. Plus, there is a chance that the draft also will produce the most receivers ever taken in the first round. Back in 2004, seven went off the board during the opening 32. But to get to seven, there has to be a market there. The Chiefs could have taken themselves out of it by tapping Brown. Xavier Worthy, the record-breaking speedster, seemed destined to KC until Brown came to town.

At next month’s NFL Draft, the real receiver action should be in the top 10, when three may go. But the Chiefs were one of the teams projected to take one in the bottom half. Because of their Lombardi Trophy, KC is choosing 32nd. The various mock drafts we all love to consume suggested that the Chiefs would be going with a wideout at that spot. The buzzy pick was Worthy, the Texas Longhorn who sizzled at the scouting combine in Indianapolis. Worthy ran a 4.21 time in the 40, breaking a seven-year old combine record. And he made it known he would love to play with Patrick Mahomes, who messaged the former Longhorn after his combine run.

Although a shade faster, Worthy’s skill set looks a lot like Brown’s. And Brown, the former first rounder from Oklahoma, can dominate defenses, catching passes from Lamar Jackson and then Kyler Murray. The Ravens selected him with the 25th pick in 2019.

The Chiefs, obviously, were looking for a field-stretching receiver. They needed one after releasing Marquez Valdes-Scantling. So maybe there is no longer the need to select a receiver with the last pick of the first round.

The likely first three receivers to come off the board next month are Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze and Malik Nabers. You can pick the order. All three are big and fast. To tie the draft record, seven would need to go. Other first round candidates include Brian Thomas, Nabers ‘ teammate at LSU, and Adonai Mitchell, who like Worthy, is a former Longhorn star. You also can include Keon Coleman from Florida State. Ladd McConkey of Georgia also put himself in the first round conversation when he ran a 4.39 at Indy.

But to get to seven, there also needs to be a market. Lance Zierlein, an analyst with the NFL Network, projected six to go in the mock draft he published this week. Of course, that mock predicted the Chiefs selecting Worthy. Charles Davis also listed six in his mock draft. Again, Worthy was his choice for KC.

CBS Sports also did a mock to reflect some of the free agent movement. Their first 32 had six receivers. Again, Worthy was headed to Kansas City, It definitely was a trend. You also can check out how ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranks the best of the group here.

For context, four receivers went in the first round of last years draft. But Jaxon Smith Njigba was the first off the board, going at No. 19.