Chiefs DT Chris Jones and WR Xavier Worthy nominated as “secret candidates” for NFL Awards

Several members of the Kansas City Chiefs have generated a lot of offseason buzz ahead of the 2024 NFL season. A new list highlighted a veteran defensive player and a rookie speedster as “mystery candidates” for NFL awards in 2024.

Brad Gagnon from Bleacher Report discussed three surprise candidates for winners of all major NFL awards after the upcoming season, highlighting a Chief from both sides of the ball.

Gagnon’s story lists the odds for the player with the highest odds at +3,000, and suggests Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones as a leading candidate for a 2024 Defensive Player of the Year campaign that barely catches anyone’s attention.

“The guy is a strong candidate every damn year and has been a first-team All-Pro the last two seasons,” Gagnon wrote. “Could this finally be his time? If no one else shines in a big way, voters might finally automatically go that way.”

With the Chiefs the center of the NFL, another successful year following the retirement of former Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald could be just what Jones needs to earn the league’s top defensive quality.

On offense, Gagnon highlighted rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who is credited with +1800 odds for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

“When you have that speed, Patrick Mahomes and a receiver corps weak enough to have a lot of chances, the ingredients are there,” Gagnon wrote. “Under those circumstances, the odds are good.”

Worthy will have to prove he belongs on the field as a freshman in head coach Andy Reid’s offense, but because of KC’s coach-quarterback duo, his potential for performance in his first year is certainly higher than most first-year players.

Read more: Two Chiefs from opposite sides of the ball make the list of “Top 25 NFL Players 25 and Under”