Who Should I Start? Xavier Hutchinson or Malik Heath

Monday, August 25, 11:20 AM

ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime projects Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson to open the season on the team's 53-man roster. A sixth-round pick in 2023, Hutchinson has recorded 20 catches for 207 yards and zero touchdowns across 32 career games for Houston. He's reportedly been rotating with second-round rookie Jayden Higgins as an outside receiver alongside Nico Collins and Christian Kirk when the Texans line up in three-receiver formations. Hutchinson is unlikely to block Higgins from full playing time for the entire season, but Hutchinson could take snaps and targets away from the highly-touted rookie early in the year.

Saturday, August 24, 4:50 PM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Malik Heath led the Packers in all receiving categories during their final preseason tune-up against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday afternoon. Heath, the second-year receiver out of Ole Miss, led the Packers with five targets and a four-catch, 39-yard effort, including a third-quarter touchdown from Sean Clifford. The Packers sat Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks, leaving the starting wide receivers to be Heath and Bo Melton, of whom Heath is battling to be the team's WR5 this season. The Packers have an embarrassment of riches at the receiver spot, so the team may opt to keep six on the 53-man roster, but the race is too close to call if the Packers only keep one. Heath was a sporadic contributor last season but was not fantasy-relevant. He shouldn't be drafted, but if any of the receivers ahead of him are hurt, Heath could contribute if he makes the roster.