Why DeAndre Hopkins Is The Best Wide Reciever In The NFL
There’s a reason we love elite wide receivers. The spectacular catches, the “wow” play, their game-breaking ability has us in awe constantly. The premier talent of these first-rate receivers so often makes average QBs look much better than they actually are.
Every season there’s a handful of these top tier wide receivers, but for the past few years, the consensus was that Antonio Brown remained best wide receiver in the NFL. But an obscure 2018 for Brown has the NFL doubting if AB still holds the crown.
The questions are valid, father time is slowly coming for the Steeler. While AB is still a stud, he’s not the same force he was in the past. After a career season for the 26-year-old DeAndre Hopkins, the star WR has firmly supplanted himself as the clear cut best wide receiver in the NFL.
What Makes The Best Wide Reciever?
The thing with wide receivers, or any position for that matter, is that there isn’t just one way to ball out. We have these larger, physically dominant receivers. And then we have our smaller, shifty receivers that are able to get open with their quickness.
There are so many traits for wide receivers, but the most important will always be the ability to catch the ball. Drops may be the most frustrating thing to watch in football. The only ones that appreciate drops are on the other team.
Wide receivers impact the game, and they can do it in a variety of ways. Some receivers will work out of the slot, others will line up on the outside, but the most versatile can do both.
You have your downfield threats, route runners, red zone threats, possession receivers, YAC masters. Football has different types of receivers that are categorized based on the strengths of their skill set.
Traditionally smaller receivers were forced to play in the slot, but we’re seeing an influx of players under 6 feet dominate on the outside. Tyreek Hill, T.Y Hilton, and Antonio Brown have flourished on the outside despite standing at 5’10” or less. Their ability to break press coverage with ease coupled with strong leaping ability allows them to play as that X receiver.
Everyone has their strengths. Julian Edelman is a maestro at working the underneath coverage and creating yards after the catch. Mike Evans gets down the field and uses his 6’5” frame to snatch those deep balls. All players have their “niche,” but the best wide receivers can do it all.
The Build Up
For over a decade future hall-of-famer Andre Johnson led this Houston Texans team in receiving almost every season. Johnson was a dynamo of a player, but as he started to dwindle into his 30s the Texans drafted his heir to the throne.
Hopkins tallied 82 receptions, 1405 yards, and 18 TDs in a breakout year for the Clemson Tigers. After that spectacular season, Hopkins declared for the 2013 NFL Draft. A draft where the Texans made Hopkins the 27th overall pick.
Hopkins flashed serious promise his rookie year, but he was still held back while playing 2nd fiddle to the aforementioned Andre Johnson. Hopkins really turned the corner his Sophomore year, finally taking the reigns from Johnson and becoming the no. 1 WR for the Texans.
And from there on out DeAndre Hopkins just kept getting better and better, with the exception of 2016 where Hopkins was catching balls from anti-QB Brock Osweiler. From 2015 onwards Hopkins was declared as a top 5 wide receiver despite playing with “wannabe” quarterbacks like Brian Hoyer, Brandon Weeden, Tom Savage, and Ryan Mallett…oh my.
The stars started to align for Hopkins in 2017. The Texans finally stopped messing around and decided to put some real investment in the QB position. Houston used their first-round pick on Deshaun Watson, and the rookie sensation took the NFL by storm.
After Watson took the starting job week 2, Hopkins had a torrid 6-week stretch highlighted by an 8–224–1 line on the daunting Seattle Seahawks Legion of Boom. It was all going right for the Texans before a devasting torn ACL derailed Watson’s season. And as Watson went down, Hopkins went back to catching passes from 21, I mean Tom Savage.
2018 Brought It All Together
DeAndre Hopkins still ended that 2017 season with a career-high 13 TD, a testament to his legitimate greatness. With Deshaun Watson expected to come back healthy and hungry, Hopkins was ready to take another step forward in 2018.
Watson played a full 16 games, and Hopkins set career highs with 115 receptions and 1572 yards while pitching in an equally impressive 11 TDs. Hopkins was electric, showing out on a weekly basis, but it runs deeper than that.
Hopkins set a career mark catching 70.6% of his targets. Impressive considering he was held below 60.0% every other season. Playing with the best quarterback of his career, Hopkins was able to boast true efficiency. This was an impressive mark considering the Texans had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL, Watson took a league-leading 62 sacks.
The great thing about Hopkins is his competitive spirit. In 2018 he played 100% of snaps. He lives for the game. It’s not that he plays every snap just to catch passes, he’ll do whatever is necessary to win. Whether it’s blocking, being a decoy, or catching TDs, Hopkins is always up to the task.
Perhaps the most impressive stat on Hopkins was that he didn’t have a single drop in 2018. When seeing such a high target share (163), it’s hard to fathom how Hopkins didn’t drop a single of his 115 catchable targets. Hopkins’ hands are like glue, he gets up there and it just seems to stick to his hands.
Hopkins really is a complete receiver. A tremendous route runner, Hopkins can run every route in the book. A true burner down the field, Hopkins uses his excellent release and blazing speed to get down the field in a hurry.
At 6’1” 212 lbs, Hopkins uses his large frame and elite jumping ability to make those jaw-dropping contested catches on the regular. Hopkins dominates on all three levels, short, intermediate, and deep, he’s even great on screen passes. Hopkins’s YAC ability is very underrated, he uses his quickness and elusiveness to navigate through the defense.
The thing that separates Hopkins from someone like Julio Jones is his prowess in the red zone. Despite standing at 6’3” Jones struggles to use that size to cap off drives, but Hopkins is great with positioning his body. Hopkins ended 4th in the league with 8 red zone TDs, a testament to how good he is in that area.
Elite wide receivers need to show up on a weekly basis. Nobody wants 150 yards one week, then 4 the next. Consistency is key in the NFL. Hopkins had at least 5 receptions in all but 2 games and at least 50 yards in all but 1 game. Hopkins shows up week in and week out.
The Houston Texans Got It Right
It’s funny when you think about it, Tavon Austin was drafted before DeAndre Hopkins. But I guess it happens. @StLouisRams.
It’s a scary thought. DeAndre Hopkins is already so explosive but he can be even better. Hopkins is stepping into his theoretical prime this summer when he turns 27. The Texans will look to shore up their O-line this offseason. A better line will give Watson more time to stand in the pocket and find Hopkins.
We forget that Watson is only in his 3rd year, he’s on track to take another step forward. The Texans’ receiving core struggled to stay healthy last season, with Will Fuller and Keke Coutee set to be back, teams won’t be able to double team Hopkins as they did in 2018.
Antonio Brown remains an elite wide receiver but his athleticism is starting to diminish. No cornerback wants to go toe-to-toe with Brown on any play, but he isn’t breaking double teams like he used to. DeAndre Hopkins is. Hopkins is playing at an unreal level right now. He is without a doubt, the best wide receiver in the NFL.
