The Houston Texans continued to add depth to a depleted roster when they selected Iowa State wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson with the 205th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Houston needs to surround C.J. Stroud with as much talent as physically possible, and can Hutchinson help the Iowa State product develop into a true franchise quarterback?
Xavier Hutchinson NFL Draft Overview
Position: Wide receiver
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 203 pounds
School: Iowa State
2023 NFL Draft: Xavier Hutchinson Scouting Report
Xavier Hutchinson transferred to Iowa State and made an immediate impact on the field for the program. Starting in all 12 games played, he led the Cyclones in receptions and receiving yards. Hutchinson would have 64 receptions for 771 yards and four touchdowns granting him Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year. He led the Big 12 in receptions and would tie for sixth on Iowa States single-season list. He also caught a season high in receptions during the Big 12 Championship against Oklahoma with 10 receptions and 114 yards .
During the 2021 season Xavier Hutchinson was First Team All-Big 12, starting 12 out of 13 games played. Leading the Big 12 with a then Iowa State single-season record having 83 receptions and five touchdown catches, Hutchinson tacked on four 100-yard receiving games, tying for fourth in school history. Hutchinson was ranked 23rd nationally in receptions and 41st nationally in receiving yards helping lead Iowa State to their sixth-best season total in school history.
Xavier Hutchinson continued dominating on the field during the 2022 season earning First Team All-Big 12 for the third time in his career as well as being named an Associated Press First Team All-American. As a Biletnikoff Award Finalist and starting all 12 games, Hutchinson led the Big 12 again and broke his single-season school record with 107 receptions. As the first person in school history to record 100 receptions in a season and the first player in league history to lead the Big 12 in receptions for three consecutive seasons, Hutchinson topped the Iowa State career record with 254 receptions and eighth-most receptions in Big 12 history.
Strengths
- Consistent improvement each year
- Foot quickness for capable release versus press
- Able to sink hips and snap off intermediate comebacks with minimal gather steps
- Loose hips allowing for opening and rescuing throws behind him
- Frame and strength to neutralize cornerbacks as a run blocker
Weaknesses
- Only one touchdown reception against Big 12 opposition in 2022
- Dropped six passes in 2022
- Allows short throws to attack his hands
- Fails to leverage or create lean with his routes against defenders
- Late to alter his path to throws as a ball-tracker
NFL Comparison: Less athletic Mike Evans
Teams With Need At Position: Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans
Projection: Fourth Round
Bottom Line on Xavier Hutchinson
Xavier Hutchinson is going to make an immediate impact whichever team drafts him. His size and ability to track the ball is going to give teams options to spread the field and contest defenders at a high level. Solid ball skills give him the ability to bail out quarterbacks on bad throws and as a downfield blocker he has the size to clear a path on quick screen routes.
His hand work can be corrected on short routes and he will need to improve his balance and speed for yards after contact. While his jumping ability lacks, his IQ will benefit him in third down situations when playmaking is needed. Xavier Hutchinson will be able to fit as a second or third option for teams in need of a stronger receiving core. He shows consistent improvement and is one of the top receivers in his draft class.
Main Image: Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports
