Tag: Xavier Hutchinson

AFC Divisional Round picks: Who the experts are taking in Ravens vs. Texans

The NFL experts have made their picks, and the Baltimore Ravens are favored to defeat the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round

We’re a little over 30 hours away from the Ravens (13-4) and Texans (11-7) kicking off the AFC divisional round of the playoffs on ESPN.

Houston advanced to the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs for the fifth time in franchise history with a 45-14 win over the Browns in Super Wild Card Weekend.

The playoff win earned the Texans a rematch against the Ravens, and they’ll return to M&T Bank Stadium hoping to avenge a 25-9 loss in Week 1.

With kickoff fast approaching, here’s the NFL expert picks.

Ravens divisional round preview: 10 things to know about the Houston Texans

We’re looking at ten things to know about the Houston Texans ahead of their AFC Divisional Round matchup against the Baltimore Ravens

The Texans advanced to the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs for the fifth time in franchise history with a 45-14 win over the Browns in Super Wild Card Weekend.

The playoff success earned Houston a rematch against the Baltimore Ravens, and they’ll return to M&T Bank Stadium hoping to avenge a 25-9 loss in Week 1.

The Texans are a different team since that humble welcome to the NFL moment for C.J. Stroud, and all the former Ohio State star has done is shatter records and lead his team to the postseason as a rookie.

With final preparations for Saturday’s kickoff underway, we’re looking at ten things about the Houston Texans.

Texans Week 13 inactives: Dalton Schultz notably OUT vs. Broncos

Texans TE Dalton Schultz has been ruled out for Sunday’s game vs. Broncos.

The Houston Texans released their inactives for their Week 13 matchup against the Denver Broncos before kickoff on Sunday.

Quarterback Case Keenum, wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson, running back Mike Boone, defensive end Myjai Sanders, guard Nick Broeker and tight end Dalton Schultz were listed as inactive for the contest.

Keenum, Sanders and Broeker respectively have often found themselves inactive for this season. Boone has served exclusively in a backup capacity at running back while assisting on special teams. Hutchinson, albeit occasionally featured, has struggled to climb the depth chart as a sixth-round rookie in Houston’s talented passing offense.

Schultz stands alone as a major inactive for the Texans. His capable blocking and natural connection with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud have been a key element to Houston’s passing game. In his place, tight end Brevin Jordan will be asked to step up.

The Texans and Broncos kick things off at 12 p.m. CT on CBS.

3 rookies, 4 questions: Texans tackle pre-game meal, favorite warmup song

Houston Texans rookies @Tankdell4, @will_anderson28, and Xavier Hutchinson reveal some of their pre-game routine ahead of Week 1 against the Ravens.

A new regime takes command Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium when the Houston Texans take on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.

The 2023 rookie class is expected to be the core that completes the rebuild. Lofty picks on both sides of the ball have been made to elevate the roster and give Houston a foundation to compete for AFC South titles once more as opposed to avoiding last place finishes.

Starting this season, Texans Wire will speak to three rookies per week as they gear up for game day.

Ahead of their first career game, defensive end Will Anderson, receiver Xavier Hutchinson, and receiver Tank Dell made themselves available to field questions.

5 Texans fantasy prospects to scout versus the Saints

Here are five Houston Texans worth scouting for fantasy football purposes in the preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints.

The Houston Texans may have had some excellent individual performances last week, but they were overshadowed by the 28-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins. On a side note, anyone in an IDP (individual defensive player) league and dynasty should consider drafting Will Anderson. Naturally C.J. Stroud is a target in IDP and dynasty, and the former Ohio State product played better last week. Stroud’s feet were settled, and his pinpoint accuracy was on display. The Texans close out preseason against the New Orleans Saints Aug. 27. Let’s look at five Texans that need to really stand out so they can move their fantasy football draft stock.

Texans WR Xavier Hutchinson embracing special teams for first time

Houston Texans rookie receiver Xavier Hutchinson is embracing special teams despite having never played in the transition phase of the game.

Xavier Hutchinson knew as much about special teams as the numeral on cornerback Desmond King’s new jersey.

“Absolutely zero in college, I won’t even lie to you,” Hutchinson said.

However, the Houston Texans’ sixth-round receiver was a quick study and understood the sure way to make the team would be on special teams. As prolific as Hutchinson was at Iowa State last season with 107 catches for 1,171 yards and six touchdowns, it wasn’t enough to unseat Robert Woods and Nico Collins for playing time.

Although Hutchinson has been enthusiastic about playing special teams, the beginning hasn’t been easy.

“Obviously, I’ve taken my lumps with it. I’m learning something very new to myself, but to have [special teams] coach Frank [Ross] and everybody — some of the veterans who have played it at the highest level just always giving back into me and just teaching me the little, small things, it’s made it a lot easier,” said Hutchinson. “But I’m very excited about it though. I’m excited to see what I can do on [special teams], and excited to see if that can be a part of me helping the team out.”

Part of what has made the transition challenging for Hutchinson are some of the techniques. For instance, lining up to run a pattern involves a different set of footwork and explosion than bursting downfield as a gunner on special teams or staying in to block.

“I think it’s just the technique, honestly,” Hutchinson explained. “Like, the get-offs, being in a new stance that I’m not normally in ever. Just those little, small things.”

While Hutchinson had doubts about his ability to contribute in the transition phase of the game, the 6-3, 210-pounder has nevertheless discovered commitment pays off.

Said Hutchinson: “It’s really not as hard as it seems, you just really have to be committed to it and you have to care. So, you know, that’s really about it, to be honest with you. You just have to have some type of dog in you to want to compete and want to be out there on special teams.”

Hutchinson figures to be a part of the Texans’ special teams units as Houston kicks off their preseason slate Aug. 10 against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

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2023 Season Preview: Iowa State brings pesky defense to Norman 

Iowa State has been a team who has given Oklahoma fits just about every year since beating the Sooners in Norman in 2017.

For the first Sooner conference home game, Oklahoma will take on the Iowa State Cyclones.

Iowa State has been a team who has given Oklahoma fits just about every year since beating the Sooners in Norman in 2017.

They play a gritty, hard-nosed defense led by Jon Heacock. They also return a decent amount of their production.

According to ESPN (ESPN+), the Cyclones rank 67th in returning production. They bring back 76 percent of their offense, which ranks 28th, and 51 percent of their defense, which ranks 95th.

Offensively they have a big task of replacing Xavier Hutchinson. Hutchinson was their go-to guy at wide receiver. He had over 1,100 yards last season.

Other than that, they return just about everyone else. Cyclones quarterback, Hunter Dekkers, returns. Their leading rusher in, Jirehl Brock, returns as well.

The key for the Cyclones is whether Dekkers can stay away from turning it over. Last season he threw 19 touchdowns but also threw 14 interceptions.

But head coach Matt Campbell has to figure out the offense. They ranked 83rd in the nation in total offense just a season ago. That was good for last in the conference.

Defensively they ranked fourth in total defense. They bring back four of their top six tacklers from a year ago.

But they lose their top three in tackles for loss and sacks. One of those was Will McDonald IV, who was drafted in the first round by the New York Jets in April.

They have to figure out how to generate pressure and develop that defensive line. But with Heacock at the helm, there shouldn’t be too much to worry about.

Ultimately, this game falls into a weird spot. Oklahoma should be riding a four-game winning streak, and the following week, they’ll play their Red River Rival in the Cotton Bowl.

This game will be talked about as a potential trap game for the Sooners.

We’ve seen far too often if you look ahead, Iowa State will beat you. We also have seen Heacock give Lincoln Riley and Jeff Lebby fits.

I think their defense keeps it close but can their offense take advantage? I’m just not sure about that.

Score Prediction: 20-17 Oklahoma

Predicted Record: 5-0

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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

Texans WR Noah Brown says Tank Dell, Xavier Hutchinson are ‘a lot more polished’ than expected

Houston Texans receiver Noah Brown says rookies Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson have shown to be “a lot more polished” than typical youngsters.

The Houston Texans committed resources to receiver in the 2023 NFL draft.

The Texans spent a third-round pick on former Houston Cougar Tank Dell, and then fortified the position with sixth-rounder Xavier Hutchinson from Iowa State.

Prior to the draft, Houston also signed veteran wideout Noah Brown in free agency along with Robert Woods to inject experience among the corps.

Through a month and a half’s worth of the offseason program, Brown has seen enough from Dell and Hutchinson to assess their helpfulness to the offense.

“They’ve come in and really put themselves to work,” Brown told reporters June 13. “They’re a lot more polished than you would expect for a rookie coming in.

“Tank, and the way he plays much bigger than his size. Hutch [Hutchinson] is a big guy who plays big. I think they can help us in a lot of ways.”

Dell has the prospect of filling a Wes Welker type of role in the offense. The 5-8, 165-pounder caught 109 passes for 1,398 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Cougars last season.

Hutchinson reportedly fell due to substandard workouts, not necessarily on-field production. The former Cyclone caught 107 passes for 1,171 yards and six touchdowns last year.

Brown’s advice for the younger receivers on the roster is to mind the “little things,” as a former basketball coach told Brown during his formative years.

“I had a basketball coach when I was younger tell me to be great at the things that happen often in the game,” said Brown. “That was basketball-wise, but it applies to football, too. There’s only one rock, one person to carry it — be good at running your route to get the other person open, block, special teams, things like that. Little things that can sneak you on the field so now you’re playing meaningful reps.”

Brown caught 43 passes for 555 yards and three touchdowns through 16 games for the Dallas Cowboys last season, 13 of which he started. The on-field work was welcomed after the former 2017 seventh-round pick spent the first five seasons of his career being great at blocking and special teams.

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Texans coach DeMeco Ryans says C-G Juice Scruggs ‘seems like a vet already’

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans says that interior offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, their second-round pick, “seems like a vet already.”

The Houston Texans’ rookie class will draw attention throughout 2023 for many reasons.

Notably the Texans’ rookies will draw interest is due to their first-rounders in quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson. Third-round receiver Tank Dell will also be a fascinating topic as he continues his football career in Clutch City.

While coach DeMeco Ryans sprinkled the aforementioned with “excellent job” and “really good job” June 6 at organized team activities, there was one rookie who prompted more detail in second-round center Juice Scruggs.

“Juice has done a great job with just being consistent in there — seems like a vet already with the consistency that he operates at,” Ryans said.

The Texans could use consistency at their center position as they seek the final piece to a productive and cohesive offensive line. Three-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil has left tackle, and former 2019 first-rounder Tytus Howard has been solid at right tackle. Kenyon Green has left guard as Shaq Mason mans the right side. Center has been the question mark, although the Texans are cobbling together an answer with Scott Quessenberry, Michael Deiter, Jimmy Morrissey, and sixth-rounder Jarrett Patterson.

Overall Ryans is pleased with the work the rookies have demonstrated throughout the offseason program.

“All around, we have a really good group of rookies and I’m excited to see them come back training camp when we put the pads on and actually get the opportunity to play some real football,” said Ryans. “I’m excited to see their growth.”

If Scruggs is able to maintain his veteran-like consistency, the Texans should be able to solve their issue at starting center.

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WR Nico Collins loves the Texans’ new offensive approach

Houston Texans WR Nico Collins is enthused by the way the offense seeks to put the ball in everyone’s hands.

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans are in their final week of organized team activities, and one group is starting to develop the type of chemistry you want to see heading into training camp later this summer.

Veterans Robert Woods, Nico Collins, and Noah Brown are making sure they are getting accustomed to the offensive playbook of coordinator Bobby Slowik while trying to help rookie Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson get acclimated to the position at the NFL level.

Although many NFL analysts do not believe that they have a strong core of receivers, Collins is ready to take on that challenge to prove the naysayers wrong.

“It is another year,” Collins said during his press conference on Tuesday. “New year. I have to reload and stay healthy. Keep my head down and keep grinding and keep your foot on the gas.”

Collins, who is in his third year with the Texans, only played in 10 games in 2022, finishing with 37 catches for 481 yards and two scores, before being held out for the rest of the year with a foot injury he sustained against the Cleveland Browns. He looks forward to competing this upcoming season in a new offense that will help utilize his 6-foot-4-inch frame and massive catch radius.

“I feel like this offense will find ways for everyone to touch the ball,” said Collins. “Make plays; whenever your number is called, you make a play. Coach Bobby keeps telling us, ‘Man, you get that ball in your hands; just go score.’ Just have that mindset. He wants that dog about you, and that is what I love about his offense. I can’t wait for the season.”

Two other players ready to contribute on the offensive side of the ball are Dell and Hutchinson, who have been finding ways to become more productive in the system. Collins and Woods have spoken highly of their work ethic on and off the field.

“Those two young guys coming into the league, they were just like me,” Collins said about the rookies finding their niche on the team. “I feel like I was just in their shoes two years ago. It flew by.

“So, I feel where they’re coming from. They’re asking for help, so I’m just helping them out as much as I can. I’m still learning just as [much as] them. So, we’re all kind of in the same boat. Just coming in every day and getting better.”

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