Dynasty Rookie Draft Profile: Xavier Hutchinson (2023 Fantasy Football)

To help you prepare for your dynasty rookie and startup drafts, Derek Brown is putting together a dynasty rookie outlook for each and every fantasy-relevant 2023 NFL Draft prospect. We are combining DBro’s fantasy outlook with the NFL Draft profile of Matthew Jones. Here’s our dynasty rookie draft profile for Xavier Hutchinson.

Expert Consensus 2023 Dynasty Superflex Rookie Draft Rankings: Top-50

Dynasty Rookie Draft Profile: Xavier Hutchinson

Xavier Hutchinson Dynasty Rookie Draft Outlook

Xavier Hutchinson is a bully with the ball in his hands after the catch. Hutchinson ranked 38th (2022) and ninth (2021) in missed tackles forced over the last three seasons. He was also top-25 in YAC in each of the last two years (minimum 50 targets). He has good leg drive, and tenacity fuels this man’s contact balance.

Hutchinson is a versatile receiver who can also work from the slot. He flashes crisp cuts on short area routes, ins and outs. I would love for an NFL team to give him a 60% slot rate and let him push around nickel corners all day.

He is patient on screens and in the open field, allowing blocks to set up in front of him before he shoots upfield. Hutchinson puts some acrobatic downfield receptions on tape. He has good ball-tracking skills and body adjustment on back shoulder and bucket catches.

– Derek Brown

Xavier Hutchinson 2023 NFL Draft Outlook

Hutchinson is the best receiver from the program since the likes of Allen Lazard (undrafted, 2018) and Hakeem Butler (fourth round, 2019). His game more closely resembles the former, who has also had a better pro career. He executes fades, and back-shoulder throws well, routes which could make him a good situational receiver and red-zone target at the next level.

Although it remains to be seen whether he has the speed, explosiveness and attention to detail as a route runner to create separation against pro cornerbacks in man coverage. It would be nice to see him leverage his size more in contested-catch situations.

Projection: Round 3-4

– Matthew Jones

Check out the full 2023 NFL Draft profile for Xavier Hutchinson here