DeAndre Hopkins

Fantasy Upside
DeAndre Hopkins emerged as one of the top receivers in the NFL last year, averaging 13.7 yards per reception as the Texans featured wide receiver after former Pro-Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson joined the Indianapolis Colts last offseason. Hopkins is the complete package: A crisp route-runner who is able to compete for the ball at 6-1, 218 pounds with good leaping ability, along with possessing the speed to stretch defenses vertically. He's also a target monster, averaging 11.7 targets per game over the season while catching 59.4 percent of them for over 1,500 yards on a career-high 111 catches. He set a franchise record 11 touchdowns and ranked third in the NFL in receiving yards behind the Falcons Julio Jones and the Steelers Antonio Brown. He generated 83 first downs while catching passes from four different quarterbacks. This year, the team hopes Brock Osweiler will be the franchise QB that allows Hopkins to lock himself into elite territory. You'll have to draft him as one regardless.

Fantasy Downside
As successful as Hopkins was last season, there is a part of his game he'd like to upgrade. "There's a lot that I need to improve on, [yards after catch], which I finished last in," Hopkins said. He finished with 201 yards after the catch to rank 118th among all NFL players.

2016 Bottom Line
So yeah. That whole downside thing was a bit of a reach, because there isn't a ton of downside here. Sure, you might question whether Osweiler is truly ready for prime time, but Hopkins has proven to be among the league's most quarterback-proof players with last season being a prime example. In addition, he posted last season's totals with without a threatening complementary receiver -- Nate Washington was second on the team with 47 receptions. The Texans hope they addressed the latter issue by drafting Will Fuller, and the 24-year-old Hopkins will have plenty of motivation as his rookie contract can be re-negotiated following the 2016 season, in which he is due to earn a modest $1 million base salary.

Week 17 vs. Jacksonville
With Houston QBs throwing the ball 26 times for 207 yards last week at Tennessee, DeAndre Hopkins caught seven passes for 117 yards and his 11th score of the season – first since Week 13. Hopkins had a huge day in October against the Jaguars, registering 10 grabs for 148 yards and two TDs. There’s no question he should remain in your starting lineup.

Week 15 at Indianapolis
Houston QBs completed only 12 passes last week against the Patriots, with DeAndre Hopkins leading the way with three grabs for 52 yards on six targets. He was held in check for most of the game until a late 40-yard reception in garbage time. DeAndre has been held under 100 yards in six of the past seven contests, but has scored five times during that stretch. Hopkins was a beast in the previous meeting against the Colts, grabbing 11 passes for 169 yards, and he registered 118 yards and two TDs with T.J. Yates at QB in Week 11 versus the Jets.