NEW ORLEANS — The Chiefs leaned on a rookie wide receiver during their Super Bowl run a year ago.

They are leaning on another one this year.

Xavier Worthy has emerged as a key piece of the Chiefs offense recently.

He had eight catches for 79 yards on Christmas Day in a win over the Steelers.

Then, in the AFC Championship game, he had a game-high six catches for a career-high 85 yards.

He also made a highlight catch against the Bills on a crucial third down.

“Xavier has done a great job this year of getting better every week. Whether it’s his route running, whether it’s getting on the same page as Patrick [Mahomes]. He’s worked very hard at that part of his game,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “It’s paid off later in the season here. He’s not a big guy. To be able to persevere through 17 games, plus some playoff games, is a tribute to him and his conditioning.”

Worthy turned heads at the NFL Scouting Combine last year when he set a new record in the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.21 seconds.

The Chiefs selected him in the first round, giving Mahomes a new speed threat.

Worthy got off to a bit of a slow start, but his role increased after Rashee Rice, last year’s rookie receiving sensation, went down with a knee injury in the middle of the season.

He finished the year with 59 receptions for 638 yards and six receiving touchdowns.

He leads the Chiefs in the postseason with 11 catches on 13 targets.

“I always knew Xavier was gonna be a great football player. Obviously, the talent is there, but the way he works. He gets after it [and] he’s extremely smart. We put a lot on his plate, and he wants more,” Mahomes said. “He wants to continue to be better and be great for the football team.”

Worthy now has a chance to cap off his rookie season with a Super Bowl тιтle.

“This is stuff you can’t imagine,” Worthy said. “Getting drafted here was one thing. Coming back-to-back-to-back Super Bowls is another.”