Domenik Hixon

Hixon, who recorded 39 catches for 567 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games with the Giants in 2012, figures to compete with Ted Ginn for the No. 3 wideout gig in Carolina behind Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell.

Returning from a torn ACL, Hixon will battle Rueben Randle, Jerrel Jernigan and Ramses Barden for the No. 3 WR job. Hixon has decent speed and can make plays downfield, but has torn his ACL twice and in any event would be well behind Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz for targets.

Returning from a torn ACL, Hixon will try to reprise his role as the team's third or fourth receiver and possible kick returner.

Would-be No. 4 receiver and return man is out for the year with a torn ACL.

Formerly a kick returner and only an afterthought as a receiver, Hixon evolved into the replacement for Plaxico Burress – with mixed results. When Burress missed Week 5 due to a suspension, Hixon filled in with 102 yards and a score before leaving in the first half. But later in the year, after Burress shot himself in the thigh, Hixon wasn’t able to command the attention of defenses, and the team’s entire offense suffered as a result. Nonetheless, apart from a costly drop on a well-thrown deep ball against the Eagles, Hixon was productive, averaging 13.9 yards per catch and 8.3 yards per target. The problem for the Giants is they needed a true No. 1 receiver, and Hixon – at least in 2008 – wasn’t it. At 6-2, 200, Hixon has good size and the speed to get behind defenses. He’s not overly quick, and his route running though improved could still use more work. At press time, he’s still penciled in as the team’s No. 1 receiver, but given its struggles after Burress went down last year, New York might still seek to acquire a bona fide No. 1 like Braylon Edwards or Anquan Boldin, or even give one of its younger players – Hakeem Nicks, Ramses Barden or Mario Manningham a shot.

Hixon isn't likely to see much action as a receiver, but he'll likely be the team's primary kick returner.

Hixon missed his entire rookie season in 2006 with a broken foot, but is fully recovered for the start of the 2007 season. He should return kicks for the Broncos, and could see competition from Quincy Morgan for punt return duties. Head coach Mike Shanahan raved about Hixon's talent at receiver during offseason workouts as well, so if Hixon impresses during training camp, it is conceivable he could see time at receiver, especially given the Broncos' aging and dinged up receiving corps.

Hixon will get a look as a receiver in training camp for the Broncos, but he will make his mark in 2006 as a kick returner. The rookie will have to battle back from a broken foot, however, and might not be ready for the start of the season.