Something special is happening in Houston this season. The team's chances for success past the regular season look bleak after starting the season 2-5, but there is a silver lining to their so far disappointing season. His name is DeAndre Hopkins and he is making his name known around the league one spectacular play at a time.
At the end of week 6, he led the league in receiving yards (726) and was second in receptions (52) per ESPN. This is the sixth most receiving yards of any receiver in NFL history over the first six games of a season according to Elias Sports Bureau. He is on pace to finish the season with 1,936 receiving yards, which would break the record set by Calvin Johnson in 2012.
The Texans chose Hopkins with their 27th overall pick in the 2013 draft, hoping to develop him into a sidekick for their former star wideout Andre Johnson. After three spectacular seasons at Clemson which saw Hopkins break school records for receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and 100 yard games, being able to get him at #27 was a huge steal for the Texans.
In his rookie season, Hopkins caught 52 passes for 802 yards and grabbed 2 TDs. In 2014, still the secondary option to Andre Johnson, Hopkins caught 76 passes, finishing the season with 1,210 yards. This season, being the first option with Johnson now in Indianapolis, Hopkins has 52 receptions for 726 yards, close to surpassing the totals for his rookie season.
He is averaging an astounding 121 yards per game receiving and has 5 touchdowns to his name. But the numbers aren't the only thing grabbing the eyes of fans and opponents around the league. The catches he's making are in no way routine. Hopkins is making a habit of acrobatically grabbing seemingly uncatchable balls almost weekly this season.
Just last week he made two spectacular catches. One, diving back across his path for a one handed catch and another clutching the ball against his helmet while covered by two defenders. Here is the second one.
While the nation is still in the process of catching on to the league's newest elite receiver, his teammates are fully aware of the potential greatness Hopkins presents.
"That kind of got the offense going that day and opened my eyes," veteran receiver Nate Washington said about a diving catch Hopkins made during training camp. "But those things happen so commonly with him, whether it be a one hand or whether it be some type of crazy, athletic, off-the-helmet catch like he made yesterday in the game."
"He's done it so many times I don't even know," said veteran cornerback Johnathan Joseph. "He's made so many one-handed catches it's kind of the norm. ... He could be great, he could be one of the best ever. He realizes that, he puts the work in."
Hopkins had needed to put even more work in this season because of the weight that has been put on him in the offense. With inconsistent play at the quarterback position and Arian Foster, the only other real offensive threat, being in and out of the lineup with injuries, it is stunning how productive Hopkins has been.
It is probably fair to say that without Hopkins, the Texans wouldn't have won a game so far this season. ProFootballFocus.com's Sam Monson summed the situation up well, saying "There might not be a more one-man offense in football this season, and yet he is delivering each week, making plays despite that extra attention."
Hopkins excels in many areas at the wide receiver position, but if there is one skill that sticks out more than the rest, it has to be his great hands. If he can get even a couple fingers on it, he always seems to be able to reel it in. Check this video out if you don't believe me.
According to Pro Football Focus, he has the best hands of any receiver, grabbing 97% of catchable passes over the last 3 seasons. Here's some more evidence.
Texans coach Bill O'Brien said last week that Hopkins was "a force in this league." O'Brien is correct, but he forgot one word: unstoppable. So far, no team has had an answer for Hopkins. Until one does, he should start getting the recognition he deserves as one of the top receivers in the league.
Next week the Texans host the Titans, whose defense ranks second in total yards allowed this season.
