Raiders 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Defense gets an influx of talent
Raiders 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Defense gets an influx of talent
837. . WR. Cyclones . Xavier Hutchinson. 111. player
Whether it’s Derek Carr or another QB under center for the Raiders next year, there is a clear need for an upgrade at wide receiver. Mack Hollins is an upcoming free agent and has shown that while he can make a play here and there, he is not consistent enough to be an every down player for any NFL team.
This is where Xavier Hutchinson out of Iowa State comes in as he is another big body receiver that can run like a deer in the open field. He measures in at 6-3, 205lbs and his last recorded 40 time was an impressive 4.49 for a taller receiver. Hollins is a bit thicker at 220lbs but the youngster can fill out with an NFL level weight training program.
Hutchinson has been productive since his freshman year in 2020 but is having the best season of his college career with 107 catches, 1,171 yards and 6 touchdowns in 12 games. He has the size to be a jump ball threat and is fast enough to get separation downfield but won’t blaze by many DBs at the NFL level.
What the Raiders need most from Hutchinson is the ability to make contested catches and give them another weapon in the red zone when the attention is on Davante Adams and Darren Waller. He will have to work on expanding his route tree but who better to learn from than one of the best receivers of all time in Adams.