This offseason, the Houston Texans spent a lot of resources surrounding quarterback C.J. Stroud with talent. Houston drafted the Iowa State receiving duo of Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. They also signed veterans Justin Watson and Braxton Berrios to one-year deals and traded for Christian Kirk.
These additions put pressure on former sixth-round pick Xavier Hutchinson to make the roster. The 25-year-old has yet to do much to prove himself in his two NFL seasons. As a result, he will need to put together great training camp and preseason performances to convince coaches he should stay a Texan in 2025.
Xavier Hutchinson Must Show Out During Training Camp
Although the Texans kept seven receivers on their original 53-man roster in 2024, Hutchinson's road to make Houston's roster in 2025 will be tough. With Nico Collins, Tank Dell (IR), Kirk, Higgins, and Noel being roster locks, that leaves one or two spots for four receivers to fight for.
Hutchinson will be battling Watson, Berrios, and John Metchie III for a roster spot during camp. Both Watson and Berrios are more experienced as receivers and returners than Hutchinson. Furthermore, Metchie was a higher draft pick, so he may be afforded one last chance over Hutchinson.
In two seasons, the 25-year-old has recorded 20 receptions on 45 targets for 207 yards. Moreover, he has barely contributed to the return game, logging just one kick return for 32 yards. Berrios, on the other hand, has returned 97 punts and 88 kickoffs in his six-year career. Therefore, he is a more proven return man.
As for Watson, he can provide the same output in terms of yards and seems to have more reliable hands than Hutchinson. Throughout his seven-year career, Watson has caught 58% of his passes compared to Hutchinson's 44%.
If the former Iowa State receiver would like to stay on a team with two other players who played for his alma mater, then he will have to show he's reliable during training camp and preseason. That said, no matter what happens with Hutchinson, Houston's receiving corps remains in a good spot heading into 2025.