Now in his fifth NFL season, DeAndre Hopkins has not slowed down when it comes to making highlight-reel worthy catches each week. Hopkins currently leads the NFL with nine touchdown catches through just 10 games and continues to be a challenge for defenders each week, no matter how hard teams focus on him.
"A star, one of the best, very top receivers in the National Football League," Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said. "Very tough cover, go-to player. Very impressive."
Hopkins not only wins one-on-one matchups, but his ability to keep his feet in bounds makes him even more dangerous. Quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan spent nine seasons with the New York Giants and worked with the likes of Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz, and Hakeem Nicks.
"His footwork on the sideline is as good as I've ever seen," quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan said. "The guy it reminds me of is Amani Toomer in New York when I was there with him. He was one of the best I've ever seen with his feet around the sideline and on the end-lines. It's uncanny what DeAndre's able to do. You couple that with his ball skills and how he gets his body to the ball and is able to make some of the catches the guy makes. Between his ball skills and his feet, it's as good as I've ever seen."
His playmaking would not be possible without his natural talent and athleticm, obviously, but Hopkins also puts in the work. From running routes to understanding the offense, Hopkins has made himself versatile as a receiver and a headache for opposing teams.
"You don't just show up on Sundays and make those plays," Ryan said. "Those plays come through repetition, those plays come from catching a thousand balls, they come from working sideline drills, working end-line drills, working back shoulder catches, working high balls, working low balls. I mean, it speaks for itself, his ability and what he's able to do on Sundays really shows you what kind of work the guy puts into it."
Hopkins currently has 62 receptions for 879 yards and nine touchdowns this season. He ranks second in franchise history with 5,366 yards receiving and 32 receiving touchdowns.
The Texans will next travel to Baltimore to play the Ravens on Monday Night Football. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT on ESPN and SportsRadio 610.
Check out photos from Wednesday's practice as the Texans prepare for Monday night's game against the Ravens.
