Who Should I Start? Xavier Hutchinson or Jaylin Noel
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.5 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 25.7 | 0.1 |
Xavier Hutchinson News
Monday, August 24, 8:15 AM
Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson is getting more offensive snaps now that Jayden Higgins (knee) is done for the entire 2026 season due to a torn ACL. Quarterback C.J. Stroud threw a 50-yard bomb to Hutchinson during Monday's training camp practice for a touchdown after he beat cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. In the team's preseason contest on Thursday against the Las Vegas Raiders, Hutchinson caught one of his two targets from Stroud for a loss of one yard. The 26-year-old could see the second-most snaps behind WR1 Nico Collins now that Higgins is out for the year, but second-year wideout Jaylin Noel (hamstring) and Tank Dell (knee) will have something to say about that when it's all said and done. Hutchinson has a real opportunity in 2026, but he doesn't have the pure upside that both Noel and Dell have if they are healthy. The former sixth-rounder in 2023 from Iowa State has 55 catches for 635 yards and three touchdowns (all last year) in his three years in Houston, with his 35-428-3 line in 17 regular-season games being his high-water mark.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.3 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 2.4 | 28.2 | 0.2 |
Jaylin Noel News
Friday, September 11, 6:17 PM
Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel (hamstring/finger) is not on the injury report headed into his team's Week 1 matchup with the Buffalo Bills. The third-round pick played all 17 regular-season games as a rookie, totaling 26 catches for 292 yards and two touchdowns. Noel could be more involved this year after Jayden Higgins (knee) was lost for the season, but he has yet to lock in a role and remains a very high-risk play for Week 1. Even with Kayshon Boutte joining the mix on the outside, Noel could still be the primary option in the slot. Noel is RotoBaller's No. 83 WR for Week 1, so while he is worth a stash in dynasty or deep leagues due to his potential, he isn't a starter in hardly any formats against the Bills.
Xavier Hutchinson vs. Jaylin Noel
Still trying to decide between Hutchinson and Noel? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Xavier Hutchinson is projected to score 5.5 points this week while Jaylin Noel is projected to score 6.3 points.
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