The Houston Texans have a nice foundation on the team due to the roster building by DeMeco Ryans and Nick Caserio.
They understood they needed to get better at receiver this offseason after Stefon Diggs left in free agency. Tank Dell's status for the 2025 season is up in the air, so Houston added multiple receivers to the room.
The Texans traded for Christian Kirk, but they continued to add playmakers in the NFL draft. Houston nabbed Iowa State receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in the second and third rounds.
They are making sure to have enough solid receivers around C.J. Stroud but at the same time, another Iowa State receiver is the biggest loser of the offseason so far.
Xavier Hutchinson is Texans' Biggest Offseason Loser
Xavier Hutchinson was drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft and has provided this team with a big-bodied depth option. Hutchinson is listed at 6-foot-3 and gives the offense an outside receiver. Despite playing in 32 games over the last two seasons, he's unfortunately been a disappointment. He has reeled in 20 catches for 207 receiving yards and nine first-down catches. The 24-year-old has yet to record a touchdown.
Instead of giving him another season to prove himself, they added two more receivers from his alma mater. Higgins, 6-foot-4, has outstanding body control and athleticism. He's a smooth route runner who can be physical when needed.
In his college career, Higgins notched 3,317 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns. He and Nico Collins (6-foot-4) will form an intimidating duo on the outside.
With Noel also coming into the picture, he gives this offense more speed and a precise route runner. He owns secure hands and can become a three-level playmaker. In 51 games as a Cyclone, Noel had 245 catches for 2,855 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns.
These guys, in addition to Collins and Kirk, will be the top four receivers on the depth chart. We can't forget that Braxton Berrios was added on a one-year, $1.8 million deal.
There's a ton of competition in that room, and Hutchinson has his work cut out for him. The team didn't believe they had enough talent there, which doesn't paint a good picture of Hutchinson.
He will need a productive summer to keep his roster spot going forward and get consistent playing time. If not, he could be playing football elsewhere in 2025.