Week 6 vs. Cleveland Browns
Talk about making the most of your catches. Despite being targeted a team-high 12 times last Sunday night in the home loss to the Chiefs, DeAndre Hopkins caught just 4 passes. But, he scored on 3 of those receptions and totaled 52 yards. On the season, Hopkins has 35 grabs and has been in the end zone 5 times. There’s no question he’s remaining a part of your starting lineup, especially with how rookie Deshaun Watson is playing. He faces a Cleveland defense this week ranked 19th against the pass.
Week 5 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Deshaun Watson threw for four scores last Sunday in the pounding of Tennessee, with DeAndre Hopkins collecting a team-high 10 receptions for 107 yards and one of those touchdowns. With a steady quarterback, something Hopkins hasn’t experienced as a pro, look for the standout receiver to continue to post big numbers. He has at least seven receptions in every game this year and should be inserted into your starting lineup without a doubt.
Week 4 vs. Tennessee Titans
Even though Deshaun Watson threw for over 300 yards and 2 TD tosses last week against the Patriots, DeAndre Hopkins was held out of the end zone. Hopkins received a team-high 8 looks from his quarterback though, leading to 7 receptions for 76 yards. Looking comfortable behind center, the rookie connected with eight different pass-catchers in the loss. Watson and Hopkins face a little bit of a tougher test at home on Sunday against a Tennessee defense ranked 26th against the pass. There’s no way Hopkins should be left on your bench.
Week 3 at New England Patriots
As anticipated, DeAndre Hopkins was the only Texan who posted decent numbers in the win over the Bengals last Thursday. With Deshaun Watson only throwing 24 passes on the night, 13 of those attempts went in the direction of Hopkins, who finished with 7 catches for 73 yards. Braxton Miller was the only other WR who was targeted (2 receptions), with 6 of the passes going to RBs. There is no question Hopkins will remain the focus for the Houston passing attack. While the team has a tough task on the road against the Patriots, even though their defense has been horrendous so far, go ahead and keep Hopkins in your starting lineup.
Week 2 at Cincinnati Bengals
Possibly the only Texans offensive player worth starting this week is DeAndre Hopkins. Despite the team’s poor performance in their loss to Jacksonville on Sunday, Hopkins collected 7 grabs for 55 yards and caught Deshaun Watson’s first career touchdown pass. Regardless who the signal-caller is on Thursday, he will be facing a pretty good Bengals defense and a loud crowd. You can’t leave Hopkins on your bench, but another struggle for the Houston offense is possible.
Week 1 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
With Brock Osweiler and Tom Savage throwing passes for the Texans last season, DeAndre Hopkins’ stats declined from 2015, in which he dominated the league with over 100 catches, 1,500 yards, and 11 scores. With Savage as the signal-caller to start the 2017 season, Hopkins should get off to a good start, despite not seeing any action since the first week of the preseason due to an injured hand. Against the Jaguars last year, he was targeted 30 times, resulting in 13 grabs. Be sure he’s starting Week 1.
Fantasy Upside
Although they were abruptly thrown into the huddle together late last season during a win over Jacksonville (when Brock Osweiler was benched), Tom Savage and DeAndre Hopkins displayed a lot of potential as a passing tandem. Targeted 15 times by Savage, Hopkins caught eight passes for 87 yards during the comeback victory. Those are the moments Savage and Hopkins hope to replicate this fall. Despite the selection of DeShaun Watson in the first round of April's draft, Savage is the projected starter after Osweiler was traded to Cleveland. Don't forget: Hopkins was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2015 when he caught a career-high 111 passes for 1,521 yards and 11 touchdowns. He could still be that guy.
Fantasy Downside
His production dipped last season to 78 catches for 954 yards and four scores while dealing with erratic passing from Osweiler. Eleven of Osweiler's 19 interceptions, including the playoffs, occurred while throwing in Hopkins' direction.
2017 Bottom Line
Head coach Bill O'Brien made it clear at the NFL scouting combine he doesn't fault Hopkins for his statistical decline. Fantasy owners should do the same and take advantage of the value that's going to come in the wake of a disappointing season. That discount alone should be sufficient reason to roll with Hopkins this fall.
Divisional Round at New England
In the win over Oakland last week, Brock Osweiler looked DeAndre Hopkins way a team-high nine times, leading to five catches for 67 yards and a TD. In the conservative game plan, Osweiler completed just 14 passes, but it was enough to knock out the Raiders. Versus the Patriots in the regular season, DeAndre led the team with 56 receiving yards in the shutout loss. Expect the Texans to have trouble moving the ball again.
Wild Card Round vs. Oakland
In the loss to the Titans last Sunday, DeAndre Hopkins posted just his second 100-yard game of the year, collecting seven grabs for a season-high 123 yards. DeAndre finished the regular season with 78 catches and four TDs, but just one in the last 11 games. In Mexico City versus the Raiders in November, he caught five balls for 58 yards.
Week 17 at Tennessee
With Tom Savage at QB last Saturday versus Cincinnati, the disappointing season for DeAndre Hopkins continued. On six targets, he caught three passes for 43 yards. Savage will remain the Houston QB, so look elsewhere for a starting WR, even facing the second worst pass defense. Hopkins was held to just a four yard grab in the win over the Titans earlier this season.
