Mel Kiper Jr. shares where he expects Adonai Mitchell, Xavier Worthy to get drafted

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. is a big fan of Texas receivers Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy heading into the 2024 NFL draft.

Xavier Worthy led Texas in receptions and receiving yards this past season with 75 catches for 1,014 yards. Adonai Mitchell led the Longhorns in receiving touchdowns, putting up 55 catches for 845 yards and 11 scores in 2023.

Mel Kiper Jr. said on NFL Live Tuesday afternoon that he believes both receivers have a chance to be picked in the first round come April.

“I have to tell you, I like the two Texas kids. I’d put Adonai Mitchell, who was at Georgia, came to Texas — 6-4, 198 pounder, had two touchdown receptions early on in an upset over Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Go to the Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State game, he was uncoverable,” Kiper said. “And he’s got that great catch radius.

“As I said, 6-4, with really good hands. I think he’s a good one. I think when you look at his teammate, Xavier Worthy, who in space can really make people miss. He’s got punt return skills. So I think both of those Longhorns, Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy, in the late first round — at worst, early second round.”

The 2024 NFL draft has some excellent receivers, with Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU’s Malik Nabers and Washington’s Rome Odunze projected to go in the top 10 picks in Kiper’s latest mock draft.

Kiper has seven receivers going in the first round overall, including Mitchell. He wouldn’t be surprised to see Worthy come off the board in the first round, too.

“Those are two kids that have an awful lot of ability,” Kiper said of Mitchell and Worthy.

Former Alabama WR Isaiah Bond will be counted on to help Texas in 2024

With Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy off to the NFL, Texas will need someone to step up in 2024. Isaiah Bond is a prime candidate after transferring in from Alabama this offseason.

Bond amassed 48 catches for 668 yards and four touchdowns in 2023, with none bigger than the miraculous game-winning catch he made against Auburn in the Iron Bowl, saving the Crimson Tide’s season. 

Isaiah Bond played high school football at Buford (GA), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 60 overall recruit in the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Now with the Longhorns, Isaiah Bond will look to make an instant impact with a bevy of talented wide receivers headed to the NFL for Texas and become the favorite target of quarterback Quinn Ewers.