Domenik Hixon Visiting the Oakland Raiders

Now formerly of the New York Giants, this would be Domenik Hixons first visit to a team this offseason since he turned down an offer from the Detroit Lions earlier this month. Hixon was a very successful deep threat last year, averaging 14.5 yards per catch and could possibly attain the same role with the Oakland Raiders.

The Raiders recently released wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, who was mostly used as a straight line runner, often called to run curls and deep routes. The biggest flaw for Heyward-Bey since he came out of college was his over tendency to drop passes. In fact, he had six dropped passes last year, only catching the ball 53.2 percent of time.

Hixon, who would replace Heyward-Bey as the team’s deep threat receiver, boasts an advantage over him – catching the ball 67.2 percent of the time, while only having two less receptions at 39 last year.

Furthermore, Hixon’s advantage over Heyward-Bey is considerably apparent. According to Profootballfocus.com, Heyward-Bey was targeted 20 times in 2012, while only bringing in four total receptions in passes for 20 yards or more. Hixon’s short game was also quite impressive, in passes from 0-9 yards he only missed out on three passes out of 23 targets. As compared to Heyward-Bey’s eight missed attempts at getting the ball in that distance.

Hixon just might be the best wide receiver available right now in free agency, at 6’02” he is a big target. He would accompany a young crop of talent in Oakland, playing alongside: Denarius Moore, Rod Streater and Juron Criner.

Hixon could very well be everything Heyward-Bey was supposed to be for the Raiders.