Texans WR Xavier Hutchinson PFF's Second-Highest-Graded Receiver in NFL Draft

After seeing more targets than any other NFL Draft-eligible receiver in the class, the Houston Texans may have landed a gem in Iowa State receiver Xavier Hutchinson.

When the Houston Texans go searching for the next collegiate player they want to add to their roster there are many measurements for them to use.

One of those is production and usage, and sixth-round Texans pick receiver Xavier Hutchinson has both of those bases covered. 

So much so that he was Pro Football Focus' second-highest graded receiver in this year's class.

Finishing his final season with the Iowa State Cyclones Hutchinson turned in an 89.7 graded performance while being targeted 161 times and making 107 receptions. 

The only draft-eligible receiver to earn a better grade was BYU's Puka Nacua who posted an 89.8 grade on just 67 targets and 48 receptions. 

Nacua, a fifth-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams also finished with a higher yards per reception average and better catch percentage than Hutchinson, perhaps contributing to his higher draft spot. 

But Hutchinson's usage with Iowa State is a testament to how much his team and quarterback trusted him while in school and is something he'll look to build now in Houston. 

Hutchinson's 161 targets were the most among all FBS receivers tracked by PFF this past season with SMU's Rashee Rice coming in five targets behind him. 

Rice, a second-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs, had more yards and touchdowns than Hutchinson, but a lower reception percentage on those targets failing to reach 100 catches last year.

The Texans rookie also posted the second-best receiving grade and a top-15 drop grade among receivers with 100 or more targets in 2022. 

Interestingly enough, he'll need just one target this season to become the most successful rookie sixth-round receiver in Houston's franchise history.

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