2023 NFL Draft position analysis: Patriots wide receiver fits vs. draft wishes

Xavier Hutchinson vs. Bryce Ford-Wheaton

Raw Athletic Score Head-to-head.

The New England Patriots seemingly are going away from small, quick slot receivers, so the first match-up involves two big-bodied threats.

Iowa State’s Xavier Hutchinson is a bigger version of Jakobi Meyers. Hutchinson is 6-3 210 and he uses every inch and pound of his physique. His length gives Hutchinson a huge catch radius and he’s comfortable plucking the ball away from his body. And his size allows Hutchinson to shield defenders all over the field, particularly in the red zone.

Like Meyers, Hutchinson isn’t fleet of foot. But like Meyers, Hutchinson is a crafty route runner. Despite not being a deep threat, Hutchinson produced his share of chunk plays. He’s good for periodic 20-yard gains to keep the chains moving.

Hutchinson would be a reliable target over the middle. He’s a projected third round selection.

Bryce Ford-Wheaton is projected to go late in the draft, but it’s hard to believe that will be the case after he put on a show at the NFL Combine.

Yes, it was without pads on, but Ford-Wheaton had the top vertical, third best 20-yard shuttle, fourth best 40-yard dash and seventh in the 3-come drill. Combined with being 6-3 221 pounds, and Ford-Wheaton has a Raw Athletic Score of 9.96. He’s a rare athlete.

What holds Ford-Wheaton back are his hands. He’s a defense’s worse nightmare based on measurables, but he needs to catch the ball first. When he does, Ford-Wheaton is the deep threat dreams are made of and an automatic mismatch. There aren’t many corners built to cover him.

Teams will take the chance on Ford-Wheaton’s raw talent. The New England Patriots should consider him as well. Recent projections have Ford-Wheaton as a sixth to seventh round selection. That might not be the case anymore.