The Houston Texans will take their next step towards the 2025 NFL season when they begin their annual organized team activities (OTAs) on Wednesday. The Texans will be gunning for a third straight AFC South title next season, and the upcoming OTAs will give head coach DeMeco Ryans a better sense of which players are ready to help chase that goal.
From rookies to returning veterans, OTAs are the perfect time for players to prove their worth to their team, and the crop of incoming Texans isn't an exception. With that in mind, one familiar face is more than likely at risk of being sent packing if he doesn't seize every opportunity sent his way in the coming weeks.
Texans WR Xavier Hutchinson Must Show Growth During OTAs
The upcoming OTAs could be several Texans' last late-May workouts with the organization, including wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson. It's been over two years since Houston drafted the former Iowa State product 205th overall, and his disappointing development has him on thin ice this spring.
Hutchinson, 24, seemed like he was well worth the Day 3 pick when he was drafted in 2023. The St. Augustine, FL playmaker was coming off an amazing performance with the Cyclones that saw him record personal bests regarding receptions (107), receiving yards (1,171), and touchdowns (6), culminating in first-team All-Big 12 and All-American honors.
Collegiate success isn't always a sign of similar NFL results, and the Texans have learned that the hard way.
Between his first two pro seasons, Hutchinson has only caught 20-of-45 targets (44.4%) for 207 receiving yards without a touchdown. His 9.8 yards per reception ranked a disappointing eighth among Houston pass-catchers in 2024, and that's without mentioning the putrid 43.3 passer rating he drew when targeted.
Furthermore, Hutchinson's 58.1 receiving grade only ranked 107th among 125 eligible receivers on Pro Football Focus.
Hutchinson's outlook was already shaky once the offseason began, but things have worsened for him as the Texans' roster expanded. Even though Stefon Diggs is gone and Tank Dell is out for the season, WR1 Nico Collins is back in the fold, and he'll be joined by the veteran trio of John Metchie III, Braxton Berrios, and Justin Watson.
That's without mentioning the rookie playmaking duo of Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins, who seem primed to do aerial damage after thriving together at Iowa State.
That's a total of six names Hutchinson will be competing against throughout OTAs. In other words, he could find himself as the odd man out of Houston's plans if he doesn't take that next step forward. The Texans can save over $1 million if they cut or trade the 6-foot-3 WR after June 1, per Spotrac.
In other words, if he doesn't immediately prove his worth once Texans OTAs begin, it isn't unfathomable to imagine Hutchinson playing in another team's jersey next season.