Xzavier Henderson WR Cincinnati | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Xzavier Henderson WR Cincinnati
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/26/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (51%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.7 DOB: 04/20/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 09/26/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (51%*) | |
| Age: 22.7 DOB: 04/20/2002 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 81.2 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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75% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 86.2 | |
| Hands: |
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54% |
| Short Receiving: |
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66% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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73% |
| Deep Threat: |
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72% |
| Blocking: |
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53% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#248
Position rank:
#28
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| College Games: 58 College Snaps: 2537 | ||
ESPN RATING: 84/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 96/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jalen Wayne - South Alabama |
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82% |
| Dontay Demus Jr. - Maryland |
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79% |
| Cornelius Johnson - Michigan |
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70% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Xzavier Henderson transferred to Cincinnati for his final collegiate season in 2023, becoming the Bearcats' primary wide receiver and kick returner. The 6'3", 200-pound wideout totaled 994 all-purpose yards, including 782 receiving yards on 58 catches with three touchdowns while averaging 65.2 receiving yards per game—all career highs. He started all 11 games he played in and surpassed the 100-yard mark three times during the season.Henderson showcased his deep threat capabilities in the season opener against EKU, recording a career-high 149 yards on seven catches with a touchdown. Against Miami (OH), he hauled in a career-high 12 receptions for 140 yards, the fourth-most receptions in a game in program history. He found the endzone twice against Baylor, finishing with eight catches for 82 yards. His final 100-yard receiving performance came against West Virginia, totaling 104 yards on six receptions.
As a kick returner, Henderson accumulated 212 yards on 12 returns, including a career-long 37-yard return against Baylor. He averaged a career-high 83 all-purpose yards per game. Prior to Cincinnati, Henderson spent three seasons at Florida, where he appeared in 35 games, recording 73 receptions for 835 yards and five touchdowns.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Plus-sized target with a catch radius that expands the strike zone for quarterbacks in tight window situations
- Demonstrates good build-up speed to stack corners and create vertical separation on go routes
- Soft mitts to pluck the ball out of the air, displaying natural pass-catching ability away from his frame
- Positional flexibility to align outside or in the slot, offering scheme versatility at the next level
- Exhibits savvy to find voids against zone coverage, presenting a reliable chain-moving target
- Production spiked in 2023, showing ability to shoulder a significant target share in the offense
- Battle-tested against SEC competition before dominating at Cincinnati, indicating ability to step up in class
- Special teams upside as a kick returner, adding value to his NFL roster prospects
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks elite juice off the line, potentially limiting his ability to consistently separate from NFL-caliber press coverage
- Route tree needs expansion; tends to round off breaks and telegraph intentions to savvy defensive backs
- Inconsistent as a perimeter blocker; needs to improve play strength and sustain blocks to be a three-down player
- Late bloomer whose production was pedestrian until senior season, raising questions about developmental trajectory
- Can struggle to create separation with sudden movements; relies more on size than quickness in route breaks
Scouting Report: Summary
Henderson's frame and catch radius project him as a potential possession receiver and red zone threat at the next level. His ability to high-point the football and win in contested catch situations could make him a valuable asset in crucial situations.Scheme fit will be crucial for Henderson's NFL transition. He could thrive in a West Coast system that emphasizes timing routes and allows him to use his size to box out defenders. His potential as a special teams contributor adds to his draft value.
While Henderson may not possess elite separation skills, his combination of size, body control, and reliable hands make him an intriguing Day 2 prospect. His ceiling will depend on his ability to refine his route running and improve his release against press coverage.
How other scouting services rate Xzavier Henderson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
248.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
34.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.