DeAndre Hopkins

Week 9 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In DeAndre Hopkins' first game with the Chiefs, he caught two passes for 29 yards on three targets. He only played 22 snaps. It was expected he would limited until he gets the playbook down. Once he does, he should easily become the top target for Patrick Mahomes. He gets the Buccaneers this week, currently the league's 4th-worst pass defense in terms of passing yards allowed per game and bottom ten in EPA/pass. Hopkins is a deeper flex with some upside if he starts gelling with Mahomes.

Week 7 at Buffalo Bills

Over the last few weeks, DeAndre Hopkins has been more productive than Calvin Ridley. Hopkins' four catches in Week 6 are two more than Ridley has in his last three games combined. But between the tough matchup against the Bills and the constant struggles of quarterback Will Levis, Hopkins is a deeper flex play at best in Week 7.

Fantasy Upside

It's almost hard to believe DeAndre Hopkins is entering his 12th NFL season. Nuk isn't the explosive receiver he once was but he can still put up numbers. He caught 75 passes for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns. That was good for a WR25 finish. However, as our John Paulsen notes, Hopkins was around WR15 during the eight games in which Will Levis was the starter. Levis is now the full-time starter and the Titans could be throwing the ball more under new head coach Brian Callahan, a good sign for Hopkins.

Fantasy Downside

Of course, there is a new (and expensive) kid in town in Calvin Ridley, who will take targets away from Hopkins, who is entering his age-32 season. Will Hopkins' connection with Levis carry over from last season? Plenty of questions about the offense.

2024 Bottom Line

The offense has more upside with Callahan calling the shots and an improved offensive line to protect Levis. That should provide plenty of work for Hopkins, but with Ridley and Tyler Boyd in the mix, Hopkins should be viewed as a WR3 with WR2 upside.