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1st Round- DeAndre Hopkins WR Texans

Yesterday

Waterboy
I didn't really want a WR, but if we had to take one I like Hopkins. We don't need a guy with 4.3 speed (Schaub would just constantly underthrow him). Rather, we got a guy with good vertical and great hands, possession WR.
 

Yesterday

Waterboy
From Kiper Jr's draft report which I bought:

Hopkins is a super-competitive kid who the coaches at Clemson have raved about since he got on campus. He is a talented natural athlete with phenomenal, big hands. In fact, I think his hands are better than his highly regarded teammate Sammy Watkins. Hopkins is an excellent intermediate receiver who is tough enough to get off the jam. He was incredibly productive in 2012 and was the go-to receiving option for QB Taj Boyd. Hopkins has added weight to his frame, weighing in at 180 lbs. as a freshman but playing this year around 215 lbs. He has very good body control and his competitive side makes him challenge for the football every time it’s in his vicinity. Hopkins played like a first round draft choice this season with the Tigers, so if you can acquire his services on round two, he would qualify as a very good bargain. *Combine Note: Ran a 4.57, did 15 reps, and had a 36” vertical jump.
 

Heath Shuler

SPEED KILLS
1. DeANDRE HOPKINS | Clemson 6010|214 lbs|3JR Central, SC (D.W. Daniel HS) 6/6/1992 (age 20) #6
2012: (13/13) 82/1,405/18 PROJECTION: 1st-2nd Round
2011: (14/11) 72/978/5 MEASUREABLES: 6010 | 214 | 33 3-8” | 10” | 80”
2010: (12/8) 52/637/4 COMBINE: 4.57 40-YD DASH | 1.62 10-YD | 15 REPS | 36” V | 9-7 BJ | 4.50 SS
STRENGTHS: Catches the ball in stride with a very good sense of his surroundings…deceiving power, toughness and body strength…strong hands with above average body control and focus to highpoint and attack the ball…tracks the deep ball and shows a second gear to finish…short-area burst and stop/go route acceleration to create…good shoulder dip and feet to set up routes with excellent feel…competitive and dedicated… productive, leading team in receiving each of last three seasons.
WEAKNESSES: Lean torso with only average height and growth potential…won’t break a lot of tackles and has room to get stronger…will have his share of focus drops and lapses…will try to corral the catch at times instead of using his palms/fingers…lacks track speed and won’t be able to leave NFL defenders in his dust vertically or win with speed alone…only 20 years old and is still maturing…has showed consistent progression in college, but is still improving and is not yet a finished product.
SUMMARY: “Nuke” set several school records, including career touchdowns catches (27)…takes pride in his routes and changes gears well, using his vision, awareness and acceleration to create…competitive and physical attitude and wants the ball more than anyone else on the field…not the biggest or fastest, but plays controlled, quick and tough with reliable hands to locate and pluck…natural receiving traits and has been productive everywhere he’s been and the NFL won’t be any different.


from:
DANE BRUGLER’S
2013 NFL DRAFT GUIDE
 

LikeMike

Veteran
CBS Analysis:

Strengths: Nice job catching the ball in stride and immediately creating after the catch with a very good sense of his surroundings, always appearing to have a plan. Deceiving body strength and powers through arm tackles, playing with toughness.
Strong hands with above average body control and focus to highpoint and attack the ball in the air. Tracks the deep ball and shows a second gear to separate at the final moment and finish. Very good short-area burst in his cuts with some beautiful stop-and-go moves and route acceleration to create room.

Good shoulder dip and footwork to set up his routes with very good feel, taking pride in his patterns. Handled quarterback Tajh Boyd's fastballs the past three years and uses his extension to reel-in tough grabs - high, low or outside, he goes and gets it. Uses his body well to box-out defenders and is fearless over the middle.

Changes gears well and knows how to turn on the jets, using his vision and awareness to create. Competitive and physical attitude and wants the ball more than anyone else on the field, never conceding the top receiver distinction to Watkins. Dedicated himself to the weight room this past off-season and it shows on the field. Much improved maturity took even the coaches by surprise with his goal oriented approach and work ethic. Super productive the past three seasons, leaving with school with numerous school and conference records.

Weaknesses: Lean torso with average height and frame with limited growth potential. Won't break a lot of tackles and has room to get stronger. Will have his share of focus drops, running before securing the grab at times.

Will attempt to corral the catch at times instead of using his palms. Lacks track speed and won't be able to leave NFL cornerbacks in his dust on foot speed alone. Showed steady progression each year, but still improving his consistency and is not yet a finished product.

Compares to: Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts - Like Wayne, Hopkins isn't the biggest or fastest, but he's able to manipulate his routes to create separation and is a reliable pass catcher with the body control, focus and competitive nature to finish. And like Wayne (30th pick in the 2001 NFL Draft), Hopkins will likely fall out of the top-25 picks and prove to be an excellent value in the late first or early second round.
 

Playoffs

Hall of Fame
Dane Bruglar's #1 WR...

1. DeANDRE HOPKINS | Clemson 6010 |214 lbs |3JR Central, SC (D.W. Daniel HS) 6/6/1992 (age 20) #6

2012: (13/13) 82/1,405/18 PROJECTION: 1st-2nd Round
2011: (14/11) 72/978/5 MEASUREABLES: 6010 | 214 | 33 3-8” | 10” | 80”
2010: (12/8) 52/637/4 COMBINE: 4.57 40-YD DASH | 1.62 10-YD | 15 REPS | 36” V | 9-7 BJ | 4.50 SS

STRENGTHS: Catches the ball in stride with a very good sense of his surroundings…deceiving power, toughness and body strength…strong hands with above average body control and focus to highpoint and attack the ball…tracks the deep ball and shows a second gear to finish…short-area burst and stop/go route acceleration to create…good shoulder dip and feet to set up routes with excellent feel…competitive and dedicated… productive, leading team in receiving each of last three seasons.

WEAKNESSES: Lean torso with only average height and growth potential…won’t break a lot of tackles and has room to get stronger…will have his share of focus drops and lapses…will try to corral the catch at times instead of using his palms/fingers…lacks track speed and won’t be able to leave NFL defenders in his dust vertically or win with speed alone…only 20 years old and is still maturing…has showed consistent progression in college, but is still improving and is not yet a finished product.

SUMMARY: “Nuke” set several school records, including career touchdowns catches (27)…takes pride in his routes and changes gears well, using his vision, awareness and acceleration to create…competitive and physical attitude and wants the ball more than anyone else on the field…not the biggest or fastest, but plays controlled, quick and tough with reliable hands to locate and pluck…natural receiving traits and has been productive everywhere he’s been and the NFL won’t be any different.
 

Thorn

Dirty Old Man
Well, you never know what you got until they play their first game anyway. But I do like what I've read about him. For now, I'm totally on board with this pick.
 

HTown2ATX

TexansMetalhead
Well, looks like the Texans are easing up on the picnic table good guys.

I like the pick personally. Honestly none of the WR's this year make my jaw drop but I'm excited to see this guy play.
 

Heath Shuler

SPEED KILLS
from NFL.com


Overview

When Hopkins makes a play in front of his home crowd, you’ll hear the throng cheer “Nuuuk”. Though his childhood nickname came from a special brand of baby pacifier he required because he bit through most others, the confident receiver will tell you he’s added another reason for that moniker – he feels almost nuclear in his explosion on the field. And after a stand-out junior season, which capped an overall productive three-year career at Clemson, NFL scouts agree he’s got a chance to be a significant contributor on Sundays.


The nephew of the late Terry Smith, who caught 162 passes for Clemson from 1990-1993, was yet another top South Carolina recruit the Tigers kept in-state despite great interest from major programs across the country. Hopkins earned the team’s Rookie of the Year award in 2010, starting eight of 12 games played and leading the team with 52 catches (covering 637 yards and four touchdowns) – and he joined the Clemson basketball team as a reserve after the season, one year after leading his high school team to a state title. He played in every game, starting 11, as a sophomore in 2011, being somewhat overlooked despite nearly reaching 1,000 receiving yards (978 on 72 catches, also five touchdowns) because of the electric play of freshman Sammy Watkins. Hopkins suffered a mild concussion in a car accident on his way to go to the team’s disappointing 70-33 Orange Bowl loss to West Virginia, but he still managed a school bowl-record 10 catches for 107 yards and a touchdown. Hopkins was good over his first two seasons in Death Valley, but in 2012, he was great, finishing with a single-season school record 1,405 receiving yards. Hopkins also set a new ACC-mark with 18 receiving scores, adding a team-best 82 catches. Despite his quarterback deciding to return for his senior season, Hopkins decided to depart after his record-breaking junior season, leaving with a school record for 100-yard receiving games (12).
Analysis
Strengths
Presents good height and length for an outside receiver, also has some lower-body strength for explosion off the line of scrimmage and in his cuts. Solid route-runner used in the short, intermediate, and deep games, who has flexibility to avoid corners in zone and the quick feet to separate on hitches, comebacks, and other cuts. Does a nice job creating separation and deceiving defensive backs with head fakes and quick moves. Will threaten the top of defenses with NFL-quality straight-line speed. Possesses strong hands in traffic, not afraid of contact downfield and can separate at the last second with an arm extension. Agile enough to quickly avoid oncoming defenders after the catch yet remain balanced to head downfield for the big gain. Does not go down without a fight, can run through arm tackle attempts from cornerbacks. Snatches throws with his hands, even those within his frame. Concentrates on the ball throughout difficult catches and extends his long arms to make a big radius. Sells double-moves well with a head fake and body lean. Very good body control to contort his body on catches and pluck the ball out of the air, keep one foot in-bounds on the sideline. Effective run blocker, usually reaches his target and gets his hands up, uses correct blocking angle to sustain; also shows some nastiness at times, capable of putting his man to the ground. Consistently productive over his time at Clemson, improving his stats each season
Weaknesses
Only average size for a starting outside receiver and has room to add bulk to his frame. Occasionally loses track of the ball on easy catches when trying to make a move too early. Must prove his ability to use his hands to beat press coverage from NFL veterans off the line. Dances around defenders and run backwards after short catches at times, losing his balance or some yardage, instead of heading upfield. Will need to be more consistently physical in the blocking game at the next level.
NFL Comparison
Roddy White
Bottom Line
Sammy Watkins got a lot of headlines as a true freshman in 2011 because of his exceptional skills, but Clemson’s “other” receiver, Hopkins, produced consistently using his NFL body and hands. “Nuke” excited the Death Valley crowds with his big plays as a sophomore (978 yards, five touchdowns), but he took his game to the next level this past season, emerging as Clemson’s No. 1 weapon for Tajh Boyd. Hopkins re-wrote the Clemson receiving record books in 2012 with 18 receiving touchdowns and to put that in perspective the No. 2 player in the ACC in touchdown grabs was NC State’s Bryan Underwood with 10. Hopkins does a nice job setting up his routes to keep defenders off balance and attack the ball at its highest point – if the ball is thrown in Hopkins area, he goes and gets it. He has fluid body control and the focus to be a reliable starting WR option in the NFL. Should be in the conversation to be one of the first receivers drafted, probably in the late first round range.
 

Yesterday

Waterboy
From the General's twitter:

Texans investigated Hopkins, and they're convinced he wasn't involved in trashing of his hotel room at combine.
 

ATXtexanfan

Hall of Fame
Hope he balls but is he the second best wr on the board? Hope he's a difference maker and can elevate schaubs game.
 

JCTexan

Hall of Fame
If the Texans were planning on taking a WR in round 1, it's hard not to think they got the one they wanted. Hopkins was the 2nd WR taken, only behind Austin.
 

LikeMike

Veteran
Hope he balls but is he the second best wr on the board? Hope he's a difference maker and can elevate schaubs game.
I think several WRs were ranked pretty close.

Patterson has the most talent - but is also really raw and seems to not be the smartest guy. Boom or bust guy that wouldn't help right away.

Allen has some red flags and bad workouts.

Hunter is kinda similar to Hopkins but seems to be just behind talent wise.

In the end we get a pro ready WR with great work ethic - and in the past we went pretty well with high character guys...
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Although I like (Crapper) Hopkins, I would've rather Rick/Gary taken a chance on greatness on a guy like Patterson/Hunter. Or go defense and take an impact defensive guy like Short and take one of the other WR's like Swope/Rodgers in the 2nd rd.

Gary decided to play it safe. (Not suprising) Gigem LOL

I guess AJ's words carry some weight in Gary's world.
 

The Pencil Neck

Hall of Fame
Hope he balls but is he the second best wr on the board? Hope he's a difference maker and can elevate schaubs game.
It all depends on who's opinion you're looking at. Bruglar has him as the #1 WR overall, even better than Tavon Austin. Walterfootball and Mayock had him as the #3 behind Austin and Patterson.

But he fits what Kubiak wants and I think he'll be a good fit in this offense.
 

Playoffs

Hall of Fame
Out side of Keenan Allen, who has injury concerns, he's the most step in and contribute ready WRs in the draft.
 

GP

Go Texans!
THIS is the guy I wanted, even above Tavon Austin (whom I think compares more to Reggie Bush than as a real "WR").

Really happy to see us just settle in and take a guy who many consider to be one of the top WRs in this year's draft. We didn't grab a project defensive guy, we didn't go after a tier 2 TE, we just zeroed in on a solid playmaking WR.

Hopefully his ability to get separation and off the jam at the LOS will help Schaub who really needs to just get rid of the ball faster than he used to be inclined to do pre-Lisfranc injury. AJ and Hopkins, then Martin in the slot.

They say he compares to Reggie Wayne, but he looks more like Larry Fitzgerald to me when I watch him play. He has a quicker off-the-snap move than Wayne, IMO. And his breaks on the ball are really sharp and aggressive.

VERY happy with this pick.
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
don't go read up on it and see that he had left the hotel hours before it was trashed. nice impression
Well, I read up on it and everything points to Hopkins.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2013/story/_/id/9187853/deandre-hopkins-mark-harrison-occupied-trashed-hotel-rooms-combine-sources-say
A trashed hotel room at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis belonged to Clemson wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Rutgers wide receiver Mark Harrison, according to league sources.
NFL sources also told ESPN they believe Harrison is not responsible for what happened to the room.
Urine and feces were found around the bathroom, toothpaste was left on the mirror and partially eaten food was on one of the beds, sources told ESPN. Neither player made any attempt to clean up the mess, according to witnesses, and neither player has taken responsibility for the room. But, the NFL community is now well aware of which players occupied it.

One NFL coach expressed disappointment to hear that Hopkins, regarded as a potential second-round pick, may have been involved.

Also reported by http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/18/4240476/deandre-hopkins-mark-harrison-nfl-combine-trashed-hotel-room

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap1000000161617/article/deandre-hopkins-mark-harrison-deny-trashing-hotel-room
http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/4/18/4240516/trashed-hotel-room-at-combine-belonged-to-deandre-hopkins-and-mark
One would think that players would be on their best behavior while attending the biggest job interview of their football careers, but it appears that not everybody shared that sentiment. Initially, Jeff Foster, the president of the National Football Scouting organization who runs the combine, declined to identify the two responsible for the feces-fest, but now, ESPN mega-insider Adam Schefter has outed the duo as Clemson WR DeAndre Hopkins and Rutgers WR Mark Harrison.

If it is okay for you to say he had left it should be okay for others to post the opposite. I wasn't there so don't know but it is a story that should be at least considered by a team. Obviously, Texans not too concerned.
 

Playoffs

Hall of Fame
From the General's twitter:

Texans investigated Hopkins, and they're convinced he wasn't involved in trashing of his hotel room at combine.
Wasn't McLame up there at the Combine ..... in the vicinity of that hotel room ..... during that time????

Just saying...........
 

GP

Go Texans!
Although I like (Crapper) Hopkins, I would've rather Rick/Gary taken a chance on greatness on a guy like Patterson/Hunter. Or go defense and take an impact defensive guy like Short and take one of the other WR's like Swope/Rodgers in the 2nd rd.

Gary decided to play it safe. (Not suprising) Gigem LOL
Disagree completely. Patterson looks like a bust waiting to happen, IMO. Mayock is not that sold on him, saying he lacks a lot of maturity. He also doesn't seem to have that great of a motor out there. Almost like a Randy Moss in Randy's latter years.

Justin Hunter, IMO, is a project pick with a high ceiling (I like him BETTER than Patterson) but look, we tried to draft a high ceiling guy like Hunter. His name was Jacoby Jones. Both guys began their football careers as skinny kids and Mayock is concerned Hunter will not add more to his frame. Sure, he's 6'4" but Mayock is concerned about his softness over the middle. Plus, he has a focus problem on some passes. Unsure hands.

I don't think outside of Tavon Austin we could have picked a better Round 1 WR than Hopkins. Watch his highlights and then watch Allen, Austin, Patterson and Hunter highlights. To me, there's a visible difference in the way those guys are playing compared to Hopkins. Eyes don't lie, Hopkins LOOKS better.

No homer here, either. It remains to be seen if Schaub will be able to utilize the guy (I thought he'd be able to gel with Keyshawn Martin, and that turned to mush--though I know it was more Martin than Schaub, but still...). All in all, I think we got the guy we wanted. Kubiak knows offense. Phillips knows defense. So I'm good with this pick and hope he grades out the way others have him projected right now.

Wasn't a reach, wasn't a project pick. And THAT is worth a lot. To me.
 

Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
Although I like (Crapper) Hopkins, I would've rather Rick taken a chance on greatness on a guy like Patterson/Hunter. Or go defense and take an impact defensive guy like Short and take one of the other WR's like Swope/Rodgers in the 2nd rd.

Rick decided to play it safe. (Not suprising) Gigem LOL

FIFY .... Its Rick's job to fill out the roster.

They needed a playmaker ... I probably would have taken Hopkins had he been available in the TT Mock , he went 1 pick ahead of my selection.

I wonder if they take a shot at another WR between now and the 4th.
 

GP

Go Texans!
Wasn't McLame up there at the Combine ..... in the vicinity of that hotel room ..... during that time????

Just saying...........
Well, WTF is a guy supposed to do if he smells powdered donuts under some couch cushions?

You don't just act like it's not there. You tear that muther ****in' room APART until you find those bad boys. This is a non-story. General's Rules.
 

ATXtexanfan

Hall of Fame
To be honest if this guy is boldin esque then its the best thing for us cause he has to go get schaubs inaccurate throws. Which is crappy when you think about it. I just couldn't believe we had our pick of the WR class and we went this way. Posey and martin last year don't help the confidence in the FO decisions on WRs. Well one hole filled. Let's fill a few more
 

michaelm

vox nihili
The WR situation should look good going into the playoff run, if Posey is able to make it back by mid season.
 

michaelm

vox nihili
To be honest if this guy is boldin esque then its the best thing for us cause he has to go get schaubs inaccurate throws. Which is crappy when you think about it. I just couldn't believe we had our pick of the WR class and we went this way. Posey and martin last year don't help the confidence in the FO decisions on WRs. Well one hole filled. Let's fill a few more
I can understand if you prefer one of the other WRs that were on the board, but IMO, you might not know enough about Hopkins if you're disappointed with the pick.
 

ATXtexanfan

Hall of Fame
Disagree completely. Patterson looks like a bust waiting to happen, IMO. Mayock is not that sold on him, saying he lacks a lot of maturity. He also doesn't seem to have that great of a motor out there. Almost like a Randy Moss in Randy's latter years.

Justin Hunter, IMO, is a project pick with a high ceiling (I like him BETTER than Patterson) but look, we tried to draft a high ceiling guy like Hunter. His name was Jacoby Jones. Both guys began their football careers as skinny kids and Mayock is concerned Hunter will not add more to his frame. Sure, he's 6'4" but Mayock is concerned about his softness over the middle. Plus, he has a focus problem on some passes. Unsure hands.

I don't think outside of Tavon Austin we could have picked a better Round 1 WR than Hopkins. Watch his highlights and then watch Allen, Austin, Patterson and Hunter highlights. To me, there's a visible difference in the way those guys are playing compared to Hopkins. Eyes don't lie, Hopkins LOOKS better.

No homer here, either. It remains to be seen if Schaub will be able to utilize the guy (I thought he'd be able to gel with Keyshawn Martin, and that turned to mush--though I know it was more Martin than Schaub, but still...). All in all, I think we got the guy we wanted. Kubiak knows offense. Phillips knows defense. So I'm good with this pick and hope he grades out the way others have him projected right now.

Wasn't a reach, wasn't a project pick. And THAT is worth a lot. To me.
Go on....... I'm listening
 

Maddict5

Hall of Fame
If it is okay for you to say he had left it should be okay for others to post the opposite. I wasn't there so don't know but it is a story that should be at least considered by a team. Obviously, Texans not too concerned.
bingo

hes denied it.. don't you think the Texans would've investigated and the fact they took him means they believe him so no its a non issue for any logical fan
 

GP

Go Texans!
Go on....... I'm listening
Don't listen.

Go watch each guy's highlights and make sure you watch Hopkins' highlights last. I did, a few days ago, and I have to say that my eyes told me he was the best WR for us.

Listening? Just see for yourself by watching their highlights.
 

ATXtexanfan

Hall of Fame
I can understand if you prefer one of the other WRs that were on the board, but IMO, you might not know enough about Hopkins if you're disappointed with the pick.
Your probably right. Just thought Hopkins if others cleared out first ya know. Man what I would give for some explosion at WR. We lack gamebreakers offensively.
 
I'm very happy with the pick. Hopkins has amazing hands--figuratively and literally--which is what you need to be an elite WR in the NFL. I think Hopkins will be a beast at WR2, definitely has the ceiling to take over when AJ retires, and will prove to be the best WR from this draft.
 

TejasTom

All Pro
I think several WRs were ranked pretty close.

Patterson has the most talent - but is also really raw and seems to not be the smartest guy. Boom or bust guy that wouldn't help right away.
...
What I saw watching Patterson was he often trapped the ball instead of catching with his hands.
 
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