NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah unveiled his fourth and final mock draft, projecting the San Francisco 49ers to select Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy with the No. 31 overall pick.
While many anticipated the 49ers bolstering their offensive line in the first round, Jeremiah's choice may raise eyebrows. However, with seven offensive tackles already off the board, he opted to provide third-year quarterback Brock Purdy with another explosive target.
"This is my favorite fit in the first round," Jeremiah explained. "We saw what Tank Dell did in a similar offensive system with Houston, and we know what Mike McDaniel has been able to build with so much speed at receiver in Miami. Worthy gives Kyle Shanahan a similar weapon."
Although Worthy spoke with the 49ers at the NFL Scouting Combine, there have been no reports of subsequent meetings with the former Longhorn.
"Worthy's draft slotting could come down to draft-room debates weighing his elite speed versus his thin frame," Lance Zierlein wrote in his NFL.com scouting report. "Worthy will find separation if allowed to explore vertically or across the hashes against man coverage, but he lacks play strength and release quickness to defeat a quality NFL press. His quick-strike potential adds an element of danger over the top and should open wider windows for teammates to work into."
Worthy registered 75 receptions for a career-high and team-leading 1,014 yards and five touchdowns through 14 games as a senior in 2023, per Sports Reference.
Over his three seasons at Texas, he caught 197 passes for 2,755 yards with 26 touchdowns.
Displaying his blazing speed at the NFL Scouting Combine, Worthy set a new record with a 4.21-second 40-yard dash. He also recorded a vertical jump of 41 inches and a broad jump of 10 feet, 11 inches.
