‘Left everything out there on the table,’ Texans’ Xavier Hutchinson details confident mentality in push for roster spot

HOUSTON – Xavier Hutchinson devoted himself to self-improvement on a daily basis, rarely allowing himself a respite from his work. He haunted the Texans’ weight room all offseason, working closely with the strength and conditioning staff along with overtime work with private trainer Justin Allen and personal coach Delfonte Diamond.

It was all done with a purpose and a personal challenge: trying to earn a roster spot on the defending AFC South champions at arguably the deepest and most talented collective of receivers in the league.

“That would be crazy if I went every day, but, really, Delfonte, Justin Allen they really challenged me just to be the best person that I could be, the best player that I could be,” Hutchinson said. “That was really something I had got from Justin Allen with his little all-in motto. It’s a big credit to him and it’s a big credit to out strength staff here just getting me ready and prepared and really going into my second year

“I came in and I had lot of confidence in myself. I feel like I had a lot of confidence in myself from some of the players on the team who had just seen me put in the work. It was like easy to believe in myself and really just try to transition that into how I did in the preseason game. So, I’m really happy with everything that I’ve done so far.”

As the former Iowa State wide receiver and sixth-round draft pick pushes to make the team again for the second year in a row, he led the Texans with four catches for 34 yards on seven targets in a 17-15 preseason finale victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

Hutchinson continued to display the precise route running, sound hands and upgraded play strength and footwork he’s shown throughout the summer, finishing the preseason with 12 catches for 114 yards on 20 targets.

Hutchinson, along with Robert Woods, John Metchie III, Steven Sims Jr., and Ben Skowronek are all pushing to be included on a receiver depth chart headlined by Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell with Noah Brown slated to be the fourth receiver when he’s fully recovered from a shoulder injury.

Hutchinson has done all he can do to impress the coaching staff and personnel department. Now, it’s out of his hands as he awaits the team’s decision by Tuesday afternoon at the NFL roster deadline to cut down to 53 players.

“I hope so,” Hutchinson said. “I really don’t try to think about all of that stuff. Like you said, I just try to control what I can control. And, you know, if they like what they see, then they like what they see. If they don’t, they don’t. I mean, there’s nothing much more that I feel like I can do. I’ve left everything out there on the table, At the end of the day, I can look myself in the mirror, say, you know, I gave 100% and whatever their answers are, I just got to take that on the chin, whether it’s good or bad.”

Hutchinson made an impressive catch against the Rams, adjusting for an 18-yard pass from veteran quarterback Case Keenum. It was a difficult grab.

“I’m super proud of that play right there,” Hutchinson said. “A ball that most people would think is uncatchable, I want to catch those. I want to make those plays.”

Hutchinson was the Texans’ most productive receiver in the Hall of Fame game against the Chicago Bears. He finished with a team-high five catches for 56 yards on six targets. That included a long reception of 20 yards.

“Hutch did a really nice job,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Had a good feel for the football, really liked where he was going. He made some really nice plays for us.”

Hutchinson, a big downfield target at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds who caught eight passes for 90 yards and rushed for 49 yards on five carries as a rookie last season in addition to four catches for nine yards in the playoffs, has made it a point to listen to advice. That includes Ryans’ playing tips.

“Honestly, I just feel my routes, DeMeco has joked about it, but he really challenged me to start winning with my feet, stop using so much hands,” Hutchinson said. “So, this offseason I really went into that. I feel like it’s shown, some flashes here and there. I still got to get better at that, but I really feel like that’s kind of a step I took.”

And Hutchinson improved his knowledge of offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s offense. That made a big difference, too.

“I feel like that’s the reason why I wasn’t able to go out there and play to my best capabilities because I didn’t trust myself in my playbook, to be quite honest with you,” Hutchinson said. “I challenged myself to just learn the playbook and everything else will come along with it. I’m very proud of myself on that end.”

Now, he waits for the news. No telephone calls would be a good thing. A bad call would a team staffer informing him to come into NRG Stadium and bring his playbook.

Hutchinson played 281 offensive snaps last season for 26 percent of the total playing time, appearing in 16 games with zero starts last season.

A former consensus All-American, Hutchinson continues to develop.

And now he’s part of a talented corps of receivers.

“Man, they’re building it up,” Hutchinson said. “They’re doing exactly what they said they were going to do. I’m excited, man. When you add players like that to the locker room and to the team, it just gives you a sense of more confidence that you know you have players who have done it before at a high level. They can contribute, so all of us just have to add to it and grow with them and rise to that platform.”

Hutchinson, a former Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the year who finished with 254 catches for 2,929 yards and 15 touchdowns in three seasons for the Cyclones, has size and athleticism working in his favor as well as crisp route-running skills and explosiveness.

Hutchinson caught 107 passes for 1,171 yards and six touchdowns in his final season at Iowa State.

“Oh yeah, he’s an all-around athlete,” Diamond said. “I’m pretty sure this year he’s going to be utilized to the max. Strong hands, tall receiver, good feet, real good dude.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com