Week 5 at Minnesota
Even though Brock Osweiler threw for over 250 yards last week against the Titans, DeAndre Hopkins continues to struggle. He was targeted six times by his QB, but caught just one pass late in the game for four yards. Rookie Will Fuller has been posting strong numbers, but you have to wonder when it will be DeAndre’s time to breakout, as he’s been below 60 yards in all but one contest in 2016. Minnesota’s defense has been really good so far, but you can’t leave Hopkins on your bench.
Week 4 vs. Tennessee
With Houston being shutout against the Patriots last Thursday, DeAndre Hopkins was targeted eight times by Brock Osweiler, resulting in four grabs for 56 yards. He had to fight through double coverage most of the night, but it’s a little concerning that DeAndre has been held to under 60 yards in two of the three games this season. Expect a bounce-back performance on Sunday at home versus the Titans.
Week 3 at New England
After registering just 54 yards in the season opener, DeAndre Hopkins torched the Chiefs secondary for seven grabs, 113 yards and his second TD of the season last Sunday. He was targeted a team-high 11 times and will continue to receive plenty of looks from Brock Osweiler. The Patriots have given up the fifth-most passing yards through the first two weeks, so Hopkins should be primed for another good outing.
Week 2 vs. Kansas City
Catching passes from new QB Brock Osweiler was like old times for DeAndre Hopkins. In the win over the Bears last Sunday, DeAndre caught five balls for 54 yards and a TD. While rookie Will Fuller stole the show with his 107-yard performance, Hopkins will still see plenty of targets and is a must-start every week.
Week 1 vs. Chicago
Catching passes from four different QBs last year, DeAndre Hopkins finished with 111 snags for 1,521 yards and 11 scores. He is option 1A, 1B and 1C in the Texans passing attack and should receive plenty of looks from new signal caller, Brock Osweiler. There’s no question Hopkins will be inked in to your starting lineup every week.
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 18 vs. Kansas City
With Brian Hoyer back at QB for Houston last week versus Jacksonville, DeAndre Hopkins finished with seven grabs for 89 yards. During the regular season he set career-highs of 111 receptions, over 1,500 yards and 11 TDs. Versus the Chiefs in the Week 1 loss, Hopkins collected nine catches for 98 yards and two of his scores. The Texans will need him to post another good game on Saturday, but if they are to defeat Kansas City, how much confidence do you have in the team winning in the playoffs on the road?
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 16 at Tennessee
DeAndre Hopkins received passes from yet another QB last week in Indianapolis, as Brandon Weeden relieved T.J. Yates. In the win, DeAndre was targeted 11 times, leading to eight grabs for 94 yards. No other Texans pass-catcher had more than three receptions. It looks like Weeden could get the QB start at Tennessee, but whoever is at QB, Hopkins is a must-play. He registered a very similar eight catches for 94 yards with a score versus the Titans last month.
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.
