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What are realistic projections for DeAndre Hopkins?

Good read.

I think most people are going to be disappointed by he receptions & yards. His true value, imo, will come off his avg & his touchdown. We need someone to stretch the field & score TDs. That's what will free up Andre & the gang.
 
thunderkyss said:
Good read.

I think most people are going to be disappointed by he receptions & yards. His true value, imo, will come off his avg & his touchdown. We need someone to stretch the field & score TDs. That's what will free up Andre & the gang.
Click to expand...

Im not going to read the article - I refuse to click for the Crapical .... Sorry TC.


As for being disappointed , that's a possibility but I think many may end up surprised by the numbers he puts up. He played against some tough defenses in LSU (13/191 yards & 2 TD's) , Auburn (13/91 & 1 TD).
He also had some of his best moments when it mattered most ....

What I think might disappoint people is the average as while he has long speed and will get some YAC , he's a possession type receiver when all is said and done.

I'll be happy with 60 catches and an average around 12.
 
Numbers are misleading if that is how you choose to measure #2 WR in Kubiak system. Traditional blocking possession receiver who is 3rd/4th option. However if #1 goes out for any extended period all bets are off. DeAndre could really fill the void & that is something Texans have never had. IMO
 
Thorough job of analyzing our top pick T_C.
Now my biggest question is did the Texans make the right decision in going with
the very competent Hopkins with the promise of more near-term productive ability vs the potential of a genuine burner like either one of the Tennessee WR prospects, Patterson or Hunter ? And I like Hopkins' hands, but just wonder if the offense wouldn't have been better served with one of the speed guys who unlike Hopkins could definitely have stretched the field ?
 
thunderkyss said:
Good read.

I think most people are going to be disappointed by he receptions & yards. His true value, imo, will come off his avg & his touchdown. We need someone to stretch the field & score TDs. That's what will free up Andre & the gang.
Click to expand...

I don't know about you, but if he starts catching a bunch of TDs, that's just going to make me consider AJ's lack of TD production in a different light.
 
eriadoc said:
I don't know about you, but if he starts catching a bunch of TDs, that's just going to make me consider AJ's lack of TD production in a different light.
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Depends. If Andre has a good TD year I'd be convinced it wasn't an "Andre" problem, but more of a "who else are you going to guard" problem.
 
Julio Jones had 54 receptions on 96 targets for 959 yards and 8 TDs in his rookie year. Hopkins won't touch that, imo.

Walter had 68 targets in 2012.
 
Playoffs said:
Julio Jones had 54 receptions on 96 targets for 959 yards and 8 TDs in his rookie year. Hopkins won't touch that, imo.

Walter had 68 targets in 2012.
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Two totally different offenses ....and Jones didn't have #80 opposite him. Its very possible Hopkins ends up with 60 catches.
 
beerlover said:
Numbers are misleading if that is how you choose to measure #2 WR in Kubiak system. Traditional blocking possession receiver who is 3rd/4th option. However if #1 goes out for any extended period all bets are off. DeAndre could really fill the void & that is something Texans have never had. IMO
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Again very astute comment my Amigo! Fans should not overlook that if AJ goes out Hopkins should be able to fill in. As you point out Texans have never had that. Hopkins was one of a very few in this draft that were #1 potentials. That insurance is great to have.

Side note, check out my thread about Outlaw Shootout in Entertainment forum. Mario Williams will have his boat here.
 
Corrosion said:
Im not going to read the article - I refuse to click for the Crapical .... Sorry TC.
Click to expand...

You know how you encourage good articles? You click on good articles. That encourages the powers that be that quality content is worth hosting.

That anyone clicks on my articles at the Chronicle is the reason why I can go to camp and write things that are details fans care about.

If my articles do not get page views, then at some point the blog will go away. The NYTs has eliminated many of their sports blogs, and probably wouldn't had they got more page hits.

Clicking on analysis pieces gets more analysis pieces. If you don't, then the slideshow and crap content wins.
 
IDEXAN said:
Thorough job of analyzing our top pick T_C.
Now my biggest question is did the Texans make the right decision in going with
the very competent Hopkins with the promise of more near-term productive ability vs the potential of a genuine burner like either one of the Tennessee WR prospects, Patterson or Hunter ? And I like Hopkins' hands, but just wonder if the offense wouldn't have been better served with one of the speed guys who unlike Hopkins could definitely have stretched the field ?
Click to expand...

I think Hopkins has the potential to blow the top off the offense.

I've watched him run into an extra gear. He is very, very aggressive once in the ball is in the air. Hard to knock off his stride, catches the ball even with interference.

So no, he's not a 40 time guy, but neither was Jerry Rice. You aren't going to be a great GM if you go after slowish guys from small schools on a regular basis. But you go after special guys.

I think Hopkins has the potential to be a special player. I see the physical tools-- just about learning the offense.
 
thunderkyss said:
Good read.

I think most people are going to be disappointed by he receptions & yards. His true value, imo, will come off his avg & his touchdown. We need someone to stretch the field & score TDs. That's what will free up Andre & the gang.
Click to expand...

I hope we are *disappointed* in receptions/yards/TDs even.

That likely means that the defense is wrecking shop and the running game works the way it does best.

Let fantasy football peoples be concerned with numbers.

I think the point isn't just stretching the field, it is in general, making teams pay if they key too much on Arian Foster, Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels, etc.

Another reliable option means in any one play, you can kill the defense if they overplay anyone. If Hopkins learns up the offense, and Andre Johnson stays healthy, Hopkins will be able to abuse defenses.

But there will be up and downs--mistakes by wide receivers tend to be glaring and bad timing and can be devastating if it results in an interception.
 
badboy said:
Again very astute comment my Amigo! Fans should not overlook that if AJ goes out Hopkins should be able to fill in.
Click to expand...

As a rookie? I'd be very impressed.

Now if Andre were to go down later in the year & Posey is back, or if LeStar had a great year, then maybe... maybe. But if we're talking about no Andre in week 5 & we go out there with DeAndre, LeStar, KMart...... @ SanFrancisco??

I'm not holding my breath.
 
Corrosion said:
Two totally different offenses ....and Jones didn't have #80 opposite him...
Click to expand...

The guy next to Jones was 2nd in receptions with 100 that year.

Jone's was a very good recent rookie WR season with a decent(+) QB and a very good #1 for comparison.
 
Texans_Chick said:
That anyone clicks on my articles at the Chronicle is the reason why I can go to camp and write things that are details fans care about.
Click to expand...

So... what's going on at Reliant right now? Do you think you can get in & strike up a conversation with someone? Cedric Smith? Jeff Zgonina? Marciano?

Maybe an update on the scoreboard?

Something? I'm feemin hard.
 
thunderkyss said:
So... what's going on at Reliant right now? Do you think you can get in & strike up a conversation with someone? Cedric Smith? Jeff Zgonina? Marciano?

Maybe an update on the scoreboard?

Something? I'm feemin hard.
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It is vacation time. For a while.

And even it is wasn't, you can't just go walking around Reliant with a notepad and camera like Lois Lane scaling mountains in the dark in the arctic. You do interviews at time when interviews can be done--or set them up through PR staff.

So, in other words, this is the time of year where I do analysis focused pieces instead of news focused ones.
 
Texans_Chick said:
It is vacation time. For a while.

So, in other words, this is the time of year where I do analysis focused pieces instead of news focused ones.
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I think the system focus is a bit misplaced. Have you examined 1st round picks who came into the league to be #2 WRs?
 
infantrycak said:
I think the system focus is a bit misplaced. Have you examined 1st round picks who came into the league to be #2 WRs?
Click to expand...

One of the blog commenters talked a bit on this subject.

And I thought you were looking for good topics. This is a very good one. One of the problems that has turned many Texans fans bitter is not managing expectations well. What many people are asking for out of a #2 WR is #1 WR numbers. So what is reasonable? I looked up some stats from last year to see what an average #2 WR does. A couple things to remember looking at this: 1) Many teams had guys playing other positions than WR who got a lot of catches – I’m only looking at wide receivers, and 2) when I talk about WR #1 or WR #2, I’m talking about the guy on each team who had the best or second best stats in that category. For example, Randall Cobb led Green Bay in yards, so he is WR #1 for yardage, but James Jones led the Packers in TDs, so he is WR #1 for TDs.

The average #1 WR in the NFL averaged 1,068 yards last season. Expect a #2 to do better than that? Only 3 did – Julio Jones (ATL), Eric Decker (DEN) and Lance Moore (NO). The average #2 WR had 697 yards last season. What about touchdowns? The average #1 scored 7. The average #2 scored 4. Only 3 WR #2 players scored more than 7 TDs: Thomas (DEN), Cobb (GB), and Jackson (TB). So the average #2 receiver should get around 700 yards and 4 TDs. In case anyone is wondering, Kevin Walter was at 518 yards and 2 TDs last season, pretty well below average numbers.

But what about rookies? There were four wide receivers taken in the first round of the 2012 draft. Two of them were second on their teams in yards and TDs: Justin Blackmon for the Jags (865 and 5) and Kendall Wright of the Titans (626 and 4). Arizona’s Michael Floyd was third on his team with 562 and 2, and A.J. Jenkins didn’t play much for San Francisco. Throwing out Jenkins since he didn’t play, it seems that a rookie should be able to get average numbers, given the opportunities.

So what does all this mean for Houston and DeAndre Hopkins? Probably nothing, as it is a different team with different players, and a fairly small sample size. However, I think it is safe to expect that Hopkins will be better than Walter (as Blackmon and Wright were), and put up yardage around or slightly below 700, and score around 4 TDs. For those wishing for a WR2 over 1000 yards and 10 TDs, only Denver had two wide receivers to go over 1000 yards and over 10 TDs, and they had Peyton Manning at quarterback.
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I do think the system/context is something worth focusing on.

The Broncos-Texans draft system gets a lot of coaching input.

But how is it that the Texans have had fungible productive tight ends since 2006, but have had more difficulty replacing WRs?

I think part of that is opportunity.

I also think part of that is the demands placed on WRs in this system. You couldn't have a talented Chad Johnson who can't get the playbook on this roster.

I also think that the balanced run/pass offense means that you can't really make comparisons to teams that do things like let's say the Packers or Saints do. If the team is playing winning football, they aren't going to want Schaub to be regularly doing a ton of attempts.
 
Texans_Chick said:
I think Hopkins has the potential to blow the top off the offense.

I've watched him run into an extra gear. He is very, very aggressive once in the ball is in the air. Hard to knock off his stride, catches the ball even with interference.

So no, he's not a 40 time guy, but neither was Jerry Rice. You aren't going to be a great GM if you go after slowish guys from small schools on a regular basis. But you go after special guys.

I think Hopkins has the potential to be a special player. I see the physical tools-- just about learning the offense.
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I sure hope you're right about this (blowing the top off the offense) TC. If he can it might add an extra year or two to AJ's career. I'm not expecting much the 1st few games but I'm hoping he really kick's it in to high gear midway through the season and peaks for the playoffs.
 
Corrosion, don't forget that Matt Ryans had 594 attempts that year, with Jones pulling in 54 catches.

If the Texans get ahead and run the ball like they've doing lately, especially with a defense that is supposed to be better than last year, there won't be many pass attempts by Schaub.

And Hopkins is not in Jones' class.
 
As a rookie, I think he will contribute to the Texans offense more than a lot of us are predicting. Will he be the OROY, no. But he is going to make us very happy we drafted him.
 
76Texan said:
Corrosion, don't forget that Matt Ryans had 594 attempts that year, with Jones pulling in 54 catches.

If the Texans get ahead and run the ball like they've doing lately, especially with a defense that is supposed to be better than last year, there won't be many pass attempts by Schaub.

And Hopkins is not in Jones' class.
Click to expand...

You're slicing the onion too thin. 2012 the Texans had 554 passing attempts while often holding the lead and running the game clock out. They still pass. No running game and great running game Schaub/Texans have averaged 250 yds passing per game. Not good enough to keep Walter had the ball thrown to him 68 times last season. Seriously do not understand how anyone thinks Hopkins is going to be targeted less.
 
Texans_Chick said:
You know how you encourage good articles? You click on good articles. That encourages the powers that be that quality content is worth hosting.

That anyone clicks on my articles at the Chronicle is the reason why I can go to camp and write things that are details fans care about.

If my articles do not get page views, then at some point the blog will go away. The NYTs has eliminated many of their sports blogs, and probably wouldn't had they got more page hits.

Clicking on analysis pieces gets more analysis pieces. If you don't, then the slideshow and crap content wins.
Click to expand...

You make some good points .... but I haven't clicked on the Crapical for over a year (other than stealth links) ... I cant stand that rag.



Texans_Chick said:
I hope we are *disappointed* in receptions/yards/TDs even.

That likely means that the defense is wrecking shop and the running game works the way it does best.

Let fantasy football peoples be concerned with numbers.
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That wouldn't bother me one bit .... The only number I care about is #48 - the number on this years Superbowl Trophy.



I think the point isn't just stretching the field, it is in general, making teams pay if they key too much on Arian Foster, Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels, etc.

Another reliable option means in any one play, you can kill the defense if they overplay anyone. If Hopkins learns up the offense, and Andre Johnson stays healthy, Hopkins will be able to abuse defenses.

But there will be up and downs--mistakes by wide receivers tend to be glaring and bad timing and can be devastating if it results in an interception.
Click to expand...


Hopkins is a fantastic route runner with a knack for getting open .... and has the speed to make teams pay for mistakes. Watching him in college he was the one receiver I said " I hope that guy is a Texan" ....

Im wondering how defenses deal with the offense in general ... Just so many weapons that can beat you on any given play.
They cant double everyone .... and then the threat of Foster wrecking shop.
The key is the right side of the OL , if they hold up opposing defenses are in for a world of hurt.
 
Texans_Chick said:
I think Hopkins has the potential to blow the top off the offense.

I've watched him run into an extra gear. He is very, very aggressive once in the ball is in the air. Hard to knock off his stride, catches the ball even with interference.

So no, he's not a 40 time guy, but neither was Jerry Rice. You aren't going to be a great GM if you go after slowish guys from small schools on a regular basis. But you go after special guys.

I think Hopkins has the potential to be a special player. I see the physical tools-- just about learning the offense.
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I agree with that. Hopkins plays like a buzz saw at the WR position.
 
Rey said:
I agree with that. Hopkins plays like a buzz saw at the WR position.
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He reminds me of a more polished version of Anquan Boldin .... Not that he's a more polished receiver but that he has the toughness when the ball is in the air that Boldin has and the knack for finding openings in a defense.


If he has the type of career that Boldin has had I think we'll all be happy.
 
I'll take quality receptions over quantity and a good understanding of the offense over flashes in the pan. Hopkins is a rookie and I expect rookie mistakes. I also expect improvement at his position due to rookie enthusiasm and talent. Walter was not nearly as talented as he was work ethic organized.
 
eriadoc said:
I don't know about you, but if he starts catching a bunch of TDs, that's just going to make me consider AJ's lack of TD production in a different light.
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Well, I don't think defenses are going to defend/gameplan against Hopkins the same way they do/have done with Dre.
 
infantrycak said:
You're slicing the onion too thin. 2012 the Texans had 554 passing attempts while often holding the lead and running the game clock out. They still pass. No running game and great running game Schaub/Texans have averaged 250 yds passing per game. Not good enough to keep Walter had the ball thrown to him 68 times last season. Seriously do not understand how anyone thinks Hopkins is going to be targeted less.
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Take away the 24 attempts in the 2 OT's and what do you get?

How many attempts did the Texans have in 2011 when the D play well?
The Texans did not pass less without Schaub. Basically, they averaged just slightly over 29 attempts per game with or without Schaub.

The Texans were ahead by 2 scores more often in the second half in 2011 than in 2012; and they were in the deep hole only a couple of times in 2011.

You know Kubiak always prefer to run the ball when the Texans have a lead, especially with a good defense on the field.
 
76Texan said:
Take away the 24 attempts in the 2 OT's and what do you get?
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I love how you addressed absolutely nothing.

To answer your question nothing different than when you take away the 28 attempts the Falcons, not Ryan, had that you were trying to count.

Spare me the 2011 talk if you are going to try to argue the O was anything close to the same without Schaub. It loses all credibility in my book. Frankly it is just ridiculous to point to a season where the starting QB is out for a third of the season as anything typical.

But if you really want to tell me the passing game didn't change tell me what is the difference in 7.08 and 8.49? Let's see if you know these numbers - 2.2 v. 5.1?
 
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infantrycak said:
I love how you addressed absolutely nothing.

To answer your question nothing different than when you take away the 28 attempts the Falcons, not Ryan, had that you were trying to count.

Spare me the 2011 talk if you are going to try to argue the O was anything close to the same without Schaub. It loses all credibility in my book. Frankly it is just ridiculous to point to a season where the starting QB is out for a third of the season as anything typical.

But if you really want to tell me the passing game didn't change tell me what is the difference in 7.08 and 8.49? Let's see if you know these numbers - 2.2 v. 5.1?
Click to expand...
Let's take this one step at a time.

The Falcons had 588 attempts in regular time; the Texans had 530 attempts last year.

Meaning, not counting OT for either team.
One cannot predict nor expect to see an OT game.

The difference of 58 attempts is at least 1.5 game worth in the passing game for the Texans.

Can we agree on that much?
 
I'm as excited as anyone about DeAndre....

but let's not crown him until we've at least seen him in pads, going over the middle, taking hits, etc.
 
i'm waiting to hear what steph says about hopkins in training camp. during OTA's there was a very "man among boys" theme from reporters, if that continues i'd be comfortable predicting a big season (700+ yds). schaub will be looking to hopkins several times a game, and i expect kubiak to throw it to him early in games to pull teams off of andre.
 
thunderkyss said:
As a rookie? I'd be very impressed.

Now if Andre were to go down later in the year & Posey is back, or if LeStar had a great year, then maybe... maybe. But if we're talking about no Andre in week 5 & we go out there with DeAndre, LeStar, KMart...... @ SanFrancisco??

I'm not holding my breath.
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Imo, Hopkins over Kmart and Jean. Posey not there until late season if at all. I'm not sure Hopkins realizes he is a rookie.
 
rolyat93 said:
Well, I don't think defenses are going to defend/gameplan against Hopkins the same way they do/have done with Dre.
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Well, that is a pretty bold and safe statement. Multi year pro-bowler versus a rookie and they guard the rookie differently? :butterfly:
 
Playoffs said:
I'm as excited as anyone about DeAndre....

but let's not crown him until we've at least seen him in pads, going over the middle, taking hits, etc.
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I'd rather seem him going over the middle, avoiding hits, & scoring TDs
 
badboy said:
Imo, Hopkins over Kmart and Jean. Posey not there until late season if at all. I'm not sure Hopkins realizes he is a rookie.
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What are you talking about? Hopkins is a one man team now?

If there is no Andre, Hopkins will be on the field as the #1, LeStar or KMart will be #2, unless Posey is back. It's not Hopkins vs LeStar, etc...

It's Andre & DeAndre vs Hopkins & whatever we got left.
 
DeAndre is almost a straight up comp to Hakeem Nicks, NG fame & former North Carolina Tar Heel. 6006 212 4.51 vs Hopkins 6010 214 Clemson. Strength of each is they pluck the ball & can snatch it away from defenders in tight coverage. Nicks rookie year he had 47 receptions 790 yards for a 16.8 ypc. & 6 TD's. Manning tends to spread the ball around more than Schaub plus he had Steve Smith catching 107 balls & Mario Manningham 57. So I really expect somewhere between 50-60 receptions & minimum of 7 TDs. That realistic. Also feel his yards per catch will be closer to Hakeem than a Steve Smith, plus he does have a little more speed than Nicks so 17 ypc. isn't out of the question, say 55X17= 935 yards & 7 TD's.

Back to the comparison both were Junior or underclassman early entries. Nicks selected in first round #29th overall DeAndre 27th overall. Both attack the football with strong hands. Both have the same impressive arm length 33" 10" hands, 36 vertical jump & both set multiple school records in receiving. However, there is one big advantage DeAndre will enjoy over Nicks & that is being mentored both on & off the field by Andre Johnson.

BL :wesmantexanfan:
 
beerlover said:
So I really expect somewhere between 50-60 receptions & minimum of 7 TDs. That realistic. Also feel his yards per catch will be closer to Hakeem than a Steve Smith, plus he does have a little more speed than Nicks so 17 ypc. isn't out of the question, say 55X17= 935 yards & 7 TD's.
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I'd be happy if he has a 17 ypc & 7 TDs... he'll have earned his draft spot in my mind.

What's going to help is that it looks like "everyone" is saying he has a big catch radius & he plucks and fights for the ball. That's going to help him with Schaub & his trust issues.
 
thunderkyss said:
What are you talking about? Hopkins is a one man team now?

If there is no Andre, Hopkins will be on the field as the #1, LeStar or KMart will be #2, unless Posey is back. It's not Hopkins vs LeStar, etc...

It's Andre & DeAndre vs Hopkins & whatever we got left.
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Here is posts

Originally Posted by badboy
Again very astute comment my Amigo! Fans should not overlook that if AJ goes out Hopkins should be able to fill in.


Originally posted by TK in response

As a rookie? I'd be very impressed.

Now if Andre were to go down later in the year & Posey is back, or if LeStar had a great year, then maybe... maybe. But if we're talking about no Andre in week 5 & we go out there with DeAndre, LeStar, KMart...... @ SanFrancisco??

I'm not holding my breath.


TK, where did I say Hopkins is a one man team? Big over reach on your part.
Martin was not drafted with any hope he would replace AJ if the latter goes out. Jean while he has the size and maybe the skills to be #1, we have seen nothing to support that despite his experience. IMO, if Andre were to miss a game, based on what we know right now, I'd start Hopkins.
 
badboy said:
Here is posts

Originally Posted by badboy
Again very astute comment my Amigo! Fans should not overlook that if AJ goes out Hopkins should be able to fill in.


Originally posted by TK in response

As a rookie? I'd be very impressed.

Now if Andre were to go down later in the year & Posey is back, or if LeStar had a great year, then maybe... maybe. But if we're talking about no Andre in week 5 & we go out there with DeAndre, LeStar, KMart...... @ SanFrancisco??

I'm not holding my breath.
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TK, where did I say Hopkins is a one man team? Big over reach on your part.
Martin was not drafted with any hope he would replace AJ if the latter goes out. Jean while he has the size and maybe the skills to be #1, we have seen nothing to support that despite his experience. IMO, if Andre were to miss a game, based on what we know right now, I'd start Hopkins.
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Andre is Andre. He's going to be a badas5 with scrubs lined up on the other side of him. Whether that be a scrub named Kevin Walter, LeStar Jean, Kevin Martin, Eric Moulds.. it don't matter.

What we've needed is a guy to step into Andre's shoes & be a bad ass with scrubs named LeStar Jean & Kevin Martin on the other side of the field.

I'm not saying.... & none of my posts alluded to, maybe someone other than DeAndre being that replacement for Andre. I'm not saying & did not say I think LeStar or KMart has an opportunity to be that guy.

I said I do not believe we'll see DeAndre be that Andre replacement in his rookie year, especially not with the likes of LeStar Jean & Kevin Martin lined up on the other side of the field. If Posey were healthy & lined up on the other side..... maybe DeAndre can produce like a #1 (maybe).

Other than that, if Andre misses any time at all, our offense is going to suffer big time.
 
thunderkyss said:
Andre is Andre. He's going to be a badas5 with scrubs lined up on the other side of him. Whether that be a scrub named Kevin Walter, LeStar Jean, Kevin Martin, Eric Moulds.. it don't matter.

What we've needed is a guy to step into Andre's shoes & be a bad ass with scrubs named LeStar Jean & Kevin Martin on the other side of the field.

I'm not saying.... & none of my posts alluded to, maybe someone other than DeAndre being that replacement for Andre. I'm not saying & did not say I think LeStar or KMart has an opportunity to be that guy.

I said I do not believe we'll see DeAndre be that Andre replacement in his rookie year, especially not with the likes of LeStar Jean & Kevin Martin lined up on the other side of the field. If Posey were healthy & lined up on the other side..... maybe DeAndre can produce like a #1 (maybe).

Other than that, if Andre misses any time at all, our offense is going to suffer big time.
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I think the point is if Andre misses any time Texans finally have somebody who can step up & fill the void until he returns. That cannot be said in the past. Of course lets just let it all play out & everybody gets/stays healthy.
 
My realistic projection for Deandre Hopkins is to have an impact on the Texans offense this year. If that is done by catching balls, running great routes, run blocking with effort, whatever, that's my expectations.

Getting into the bits about arguing about numbers is just semantics, he could catch 800 yards worth of balls while the Texans have a sub par season and it wouldn't matter. My only expectation is impact, and I think he's going to do just that for the Texans. Have an impact.
 
I don't think trying to compare Hopkins to other receivers drafted by other teams is a good way to go about predicting his impact. We should look at other #2 receivers we have had and compare Hopkins' talent and skill set to those receivers. The problem is that we haven't had many #2 receivers worth targeting alot to predict Hopkins' production with any accuracy.

Hopkins compares to Walter in that they are both, mostly, possession type receivers. I think Hopkins has about equal route running ability right now than what Walter was last year, but with more run after catch, pure catch strength, and explosiveness. I'd suspect that Hopkins, in the beginning of the year, will be targeted a tad more than Walter was last year and will give us more production per target. If that is the case, we probably will be seeing Hopkins' opportunities increase toward the end of the season and into the playoffs. Obviously, that is assuming we don't have injuries to Andre, our TEs, or Hopkins himself. Injuries to other weapons will only see Hopkins' targets increase.

Alot of this has to do with Hopkins' confidence and development going forward. If he takes advantage of his opportunities early on, I think the sky is the limit for him this year. If he shows Kubiak that he can produce early when given the opportunity, he could become a pretty large part of the offense. We don't have alot of weapons that would take away from his opportunities.

Long story short, Hopkins' numbers should be better than Walter last year and he should most definitely be a bigger part of the offense than any #2 receiver we have ever had.
 
TexansSeminole said:
Alot of this has to do with Hopkins' confidence and development going forward. If he takes advantage of his opportunities early on, I think the sky is the limit for him this year. If he shows Kubiak that he can produce early when given the opportunity, he could become a pretty large part of the offense. We don't have alot of weapons that would take away from his opportunities.
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This. All this system talk, etc., last year our young WR's failed when trusted. I am sorry but 40% completions is unacceptable. HC, OC, QB aren't going to keep throwing the ball to 40% options when they have 80% options.
 
Seminole, while I agree with a good part of the things you said, what I've been wanting to do is to lay out the best course for the Texans as a team.

Number one, we hope that the D get back to the top five form of 2011.

Number two, we hope that Lechler can help win the field position battle as he should.

Kubiak is a "percentage" HC.
If he can trust the defense and the special team play, you just know he won't take a lot of chance in throwing the ball.

On top of that, as long as the top guys are healthy, Schaub is going to rely on AJ, OD, Foster, and now Graham to move the chain while the Texans keep feeding the ball to the RB with Jones as the lead blocker.

That is the key to the Texans success, not how many balls a rookie receiver is going to catch.

But if the opponents' defense go to sleep, like they did with Foster in his career year, I would hope that Kubiak takes advantage of it just the same.

But as we're talking about "average" and "likely hood ", I do not expect Hopkins to be a top 3 contributor in his rookie year.
 
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