Losing his fingers in a bizarre sewing accident.
Being named ambassador to Liechenstein.
Getting the lead in the Broadway musical "The Book of Mormon".
Just throwing out a few reasons Hopkins may not perform the way we hope.
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1st Round- DeAndre Hopkins WR Texans
- Thread starter AcresHomesTexan
- Start date
Being named ambassador to Liechenstein.
Getting the lead in the Broadway musical "The Book of Mormon".
Just throwing out a few reasons Hopkins may not perform the way we hope.
TejasTom
All Pro
Well, he's too old to make jerseys.
Is that in the blue lot? (it would almost fit)
I think Tebow gets the gig.
Hopkins is going to start. There isn't going to be any heavy subbing for him because he needs to get all the reps he can get.
Deandre Hopkins is Batman and Andre is Superman. Andre is the Joker and Deandre is the Riddler. Andre is Ozarka and Deandre is Aquifina. Andre is Lilo and Deandre is stitch. Andre is peter Pan and Deandre is Tinkerbell. It's the 'Dre and 'Dre show.
Deandre Hopkins is Batman and Andre is Superman. Andre is the Joker and Deandre is the Riddler. Andre is Ozarka and Deandre is Aquifina. Andre is Lilo and Deandre is stitch. Andre is peter Pan and Deandre is Tinkerbell. It's the 'Dre and 'Dre show.
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Rey, you may want to temper your enthusiasm a little.
Let's take a look at his 13-catch game against LSU.
SEC defense, you think they would be good, right?
Well, the strength of that D is the front line; when that front line couldn't get to the QB, their back end can not hold up; and that was what happened in that game.
Out of his 13 catches, 2 were bubble screens when there was nobody on him.
2 were into the zone, and 9 were covered one-on-one.
There were 7 or 8 incompletions where Hopkins didn't get enough separation.
The 3 guys that were on him were two freshmen (#32 and #28) and Tharold Simon #24.
Simon is a tall corner who is not very agile; that was why he was drafted in the 5th round.
One freshman was the 22nd ranked CB in his class (ie., he's likely not to get drafted in 2015 when he comes out.)
The other was ranked 34th in his class (ie., he's not going to be drafted in 2015 unless he improves significantly.)
Among those catches, there was one he caught with one foot in bound.
How many do you think he would have gotten against NFL-caliber CB?
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
How are you judging this? - are you saying there was a PD awarded on the plays? Clearly the QB thought there was adequate separation or he could put the ball into a catchable spot without significant separation..
There was a dropped ball by Hopkins.
There's a route where Hopkins couldn't beat press and was forced out of bound.
On the other routes, the defenders were right there with him, either forcing the QB to throw the ball out of bound, or he can't put the ball in empty space (there was no room, or the CB was ahead of Hopkins to cut him off his route, and the pass was just high, things like that.
There were at least 2 PDs.
Hopkins had another 13-catch game, against Auburn, last year SEC weakling.
Their two starting CBs were ranked in the 70-90 something in their draft class (ie., they won't be even playing in the arena league when they complete their college career.)
Then there was an 11-catch game against BC, a bottom feeder in a weak conference. They lost their starting CB before the season started (he was a Sophomore); the guy that replaced him was another sophomore who got injured in the second game of the season.
The other starting CB was another sophomore who was unranked in his class.
His backup was another unranked Sophomore. I haven't checked the game to see whether this backup was the starter, but it doesn't matter.
Whoever else played for the Eagles wasn't on the 2-deep depth chart to start the season.
Their two starting CBs were ranked in the 70-90 something in their draft class (ie., they won't be even playing in the arena league when they complete their college career.)
Then there was an 11-catch game against BC, a bottom feeder in a weak conference. They lost their starting CB before the season started (he was a Sophomore); the guy that replaced him was another sophomore who got injured in the second game of the season.
The other starting CB was another sophomore who was unranked in his class.
His backup was another unranked Sophomore. I haven't checked the game to see whether this backup was the starter, but it doesn't matter.
Whoever else played for the Eagles wasn't on the 2-deep depth chart to start the season.
Against Florida St., Hopkins had 5 catches.
The long one was on a post route where the CB Rhodes left him to take on the slot receiver on an out route. The safety bit the play fake and left Hopkins wide open.
Rhodes allowed a short pass (about 5-6 yards).
Two other short catches were on the freshman Darby who wasn't on the two-deep depth chart.
The fifth catch was a bubble screen for short yardage as well.
The long one was on a post route where the CB Rhodes left him to take on the slot receiver on an out route. The safety bit the play fake and left Hopkins wide open.
Rhodes allowed a short pass (about 5-6 yards).
Two other short catches were on the freshman Darby who wasn't on the two-deep depth chart.
The fifth catch was a bubble screen for short yardage as well.
No, what I said is to temper your enthusiasm a little bit.
Next, in the game against N.C. St., Hopkins caught two passes for 75 yards, both were against David Amerson.
Amerson is a guy all the draftniks here know.
He had given up a ton of big plays this last year.
Hopkins caught one ball for 13 yards when Amerson gave a big cushion and couldn't react back quick enough.
The long ball was when Amerson bit on a double move on the 9 route.
There were five or six balls that were either defended, or straight dropped by Hopkins, or jarred loose by the defender on the hit.
Next, in the game against N.C. St., Hopkins caught two passes for 75 yards, both were against David Amerson.
Amerson is a guy all the draftniks here know.
He had given up a ton of big plays this last year.
Hopkins caught one ball for 13 yards when Amerson gave a big cushion and couldn't react back quick enough.
The long ball was when Amerson bit on a double move on the 9 route.
There were five or six balls that were either defended, or straight dropped by Hopkins, or jarred loose by the defender on the hit.
To bring 76Texan's "reality check" back into this plane of reality, I suggest researching receivers, even REALLY good one currently in the NFL *cough*Andre Johnson*cough* who had far worse performances in their final collegiate years. It's a LONG list.
Do I expect him to eclipse Megatron as a rookie? Uh...no.
Do I expect him to be a productive #2 fairly quickly? Yes.
Do I expect him to eclipse Megatron as a rookie? Uh...no.
Do I expect him to be a productive #2 fairly quickly? Yes.
That's where I'm at.
I don't know if you misunderstood my post, but I was merely saying that Hopkins was going to play a lot and be counted on this year.
HOU-TEX
Ah, Football!
Yeah, I've come around to us really not having much else of an option but to start him right away. I was weary at first do to how stubborn Kubiak's been with his offense, but he'll likely be our best option if he learns and understands the playbook. Seeing that Posey will be out for half, if not all season. K-Mart is more of a slot guy and Jean is obviously not going to be that guy
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
I'm sorry, man, but I've seen this on the board a few times. It's not "weary" (which means tired) but "wary" (which means careful and has the same root as beware).
Kubiak expects 1st rounders to be starters. He's more careful with later round picks and gives them more leeway and time to grow into the offense.
But he's mostly about performance. If you perform in practice, he'll get you onto the field in the real game. If you perform in the game, he'll make sure you get more chances.
Guys who are gamers but don't perform well in practice won't see the field in a Kubiak offense.
Keshawn obviously was showing good things in practice last year, so he leapfrogged over Posey and Jean. But when he got his chances on the field, he didn't show up. If he'd caught more of those passes, he'd have seen more and more thrown to him.
I expect Hopkins to start at #2. Kubiak's going to expect a lot from him early. If Hopkins doesn't make the catches or doesn't run the right routes, he'll get demoted and Jean will move up and get another chance.
At least, that's the way I see it and expect it to go down.
HOU-TEX
Ah, Football!
Ha, thanks. I kinda had an idea I wasn't using the correct word. Heck, I think I've even used "weery" a few times too.
badboy
Hall of Fame
Just curious but since you brought up grammar, should you begin a sentence with "but"? Would not a ";" then continuation be more proper?
Also, "he'd have seen more and more" seemingly should be more correctly written "more" or "increasingly more"? Perhaps you could elaborate and take the focus away from what we are discussing as I am certain that I was the only one who realized what the OP meant.
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
The rule about beginning a sentence with a conjunction is out of date and no longer followed.
Also, "he'd have seen more and more" seemingly should be more correctly written "more" or "increasingly more"? Perhaps you could elaborate and take the focus away from what we are discussing as I am certain that I was the only one who realized what the OP meant.
Although "more" would have been preferable in most instances, "more and more" communicated what I wanted to say in that his targets would have increased not once, but multiple times in a discrete (not discreet) way. "Increasingly more" implies a steady ramping up and the use of an adverb there is awkward.
But seriously, if someone uses a word or phrase incorrectly, don't you think it's better to let them know about it so they can use it correctly in the future? I do. It's one thing to get corrected here where usage is more casual than to make the mistake in a setting where you'll be embarrassed.
I don't go through the forum and correct all the mistakes I see. Most of them are just typos and I make as many of them as anyone else. But if I see someone make the same mistake over and over, I consider it a favor to correct it. I'd expect the same.
drs23
Veteran
TPN, next can you drive home some "then" and "than" lessons? My money says it's a lost cause on this board and many others.
Two other good games were against Ball St and Furman, neither had the team nor the CB that was worth a lick, so it's better to scratch those off.
Against Georgia Tech, a team with no drafted player, Hopkins saw a combination of zone and man.
One CB that was on him is an UDFA for the Saints; the other was a Jr with some speed that may or may not get drafted next year (he wasn't burned deep by Hopkins.)
Hopkins had 7 catches and a ton of yards.
The longest catch was for some 50 yards on a broken play.
Boyd scrambled around and found Hopkins on the side line with nobody covering him.
The next long play went for some 35-40 yards and a TD.
The Yellow jackets were in cover 2 zone under.
The responsible safety bought the pump fake by Boyd, while Hopkins cut back toward the corner on the post corner route.
This was really scheme and mistake by the D and a good job by the QB at least as much as Hopkins's route running. He didn't really beat anybody.
A short pass into the zone turned into a long play of some 25-30 yards when the safety took a bad angle coming up.
Another short pass went for a decent gain when the CB went for the ball and missed.
The other three catches were short passes.
So far, we have yet to see Hopkins run by anybody with his "speed".
He isn't slow, but I really didn't see the kind of speed that can take the top off an NFL defense or a good college defense.
Reality check is all, not to say that Hopkins is a bad player.
There was may be one receiver in this draft that I would put in the first round, and that is Patterson (and I'm not too thrilled about his interview, so there was concern there.)
Tavon Austin is a guy I hesitated to consider highly because I prefer not to draft a slot guy in the first; however, he's really dynamic with the ball, so he's a borderline first rounder for me.
The only other guy that I thought of as having potential as a first rounder was Keenan Allen, but his injury and top speed pulled down his draft grade for me.
My position was to trade out of the first round (take that trade by the Pats for example), because I just don't like these receiver prospects enough in the first.
I've been watching this position closely the last 3 years; tons of college games.
I'm not sure the draft experts out there had watched that much game tapes on receivers. They can't, because they have to watch a lot of different positions.
And I have as much time as they do.
Against Georgia Tech, a team with no drafted player, Hopkins saw a combination of zone and man.
One CB that was on him is an UDFA for the Saints; the other was a Jr with some speed that may or may not get drafted next year (he wasn't burned deep by Hopkins.)
Hopkins had 7 catches and a ton of yards.
The longest catch was for some 50 yards on a broken play.
Boyd scrambled around and found Hopkins on the side line with nobody covering him.
The next long play went for some 35-40 yards and a TD.
The Yellow jackets were in cover 2 zone under.
The responsible safety bought the pump fake by Boyd, while Hopkins cut back toward the corner on the post corner route.
This was really scheme and mistake by the D and a good job by the QB at least as much as Hopkins's route running. He didn't really beat anybody.
A short pass into the zone turned into a long play of some 25-30 yards when the safety took a bad angle coming up.
Another short pass went for a decent gain when the CB went for the ball and missed.
The other three catches were short passes.
So far, we have yet to see Hopkins run by anybody with his "speed".
He isn't slow, but I really didn't see the kind of speed that can take the top off an NFL defense or a good college defense.
Reality check is all, not to say that Hopkins is a bad player.
There was may be one receiver in this draft that I would put in the first round, and that is Patterson (and I'm not too thrilled about his interview, so there was concern there.)
Tavon Austin is a guy I hesitated to consider highly because I prefer not to draft a slot guy in the first; however, he's really dynamic with the ball, so he's a borderline first rounder for me.
The only other guy that I thought of as having potential as a first rounder was Keenan Allen, but his injury and top speed pulled down his draft grade for me.
My position was to trade out of the first round (take that trade by the Pats for example), because I just don't like these receiver prospects enough in the first.
I've been watching this position closely the last 3 years; tons of college games.
I'm not sure the draft experts out there had watched that much game tapes on receivers. They can't, because they have to watch a lot of different positions.
And I have as much time as they do.
Playoffs
Hall of Fame
NCTexan
Veteran
Yeah, but how's his spelling and grammar?
I hear he got your and you're figured out in 8th grade.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=32p8d6OudgU
jppaul
Cut and Dry
I don't know about that, your kinda picking and choosing which I don't believe gives the kid a fair evaluation. I have not watched nearly as much tape as you have but I am not seeing some of the issues you are. For instance, many of the incompletions from the tape I watched was Taj Boyd throwing Hopkins into coverage, ie the opposite of throwing him open. Or throwing high which forces Hopkins to leave his feet instead of continue the route and allowing the CB to close. I came away more concerned with Boyd's accuracy on short to intermediate throws than Hopkins separation.
I think he runs fantastic routes. He is especially effective on the double move, showing both an understanding of the coverage presented and an excellent sense of timing. He shows run after catch ability, with his ability to stick his foot in the ground and cut on underneath routes being his most dangerous move.
He drops some balls, seems to be anticipating his run after the catch before the ball is in his hands. Could do a better job of high pointing the ball and attacking it when it's in the air and sometimes waits for it.
Excellent spatial awareness, body control and competiveness. He played whoever was in front of him and consistently produced on a high level. I really couldnt ask for more. I am in agreement with those who said 60 catches. Just my two cents.
I uploaded some screen shots of the LSU game to photobucket.
See for yourself:
http://s1217.photobucket.com/user/76Texan/slideshow/Hopkins/vs%20LSU
Play 1 - 10:52 Second Qtr
Defender forced Hopkins out of bound.
Play 2 - 13:50 Third Qtr
Hopkins couldn't hold on to the ball as LB pulled his arms apart.
Also, it looks like he caugh the nose of the football.
Play 3 - 1:42 Third Qtr
On a quick in, Hopkins couldn't on to the ball as the safety came up with a hit that jarred the ball loose.
Play 4 - 3:53 Fourth Qtr
Hopkins allowed the CB Simon to pin him to the side line, not giving the QB much room to work with.
He didn't get any separation, and thus had a hard time with the play.
One or two more steps inside and he would have the room along the side line to use his body to shield the defender from the ball.
Look how he got closer and closer to the sideline on the vertical stem.
Toward the end of the play, he was on the white little yard markers along the side line;
that is just too close to the side line.
He let the CB win the inside position.
Play 5 - 1:38 Fourth Qtr
The ball went right through his hands.
Play 5 - 1:32 Fourth Qtr
Hopkins could have pressed the route a couple yards further before he made the come back.
No separation allowed the CB to be right on him.
The ball was right where it needed to be if only he had worked a couple more yard downfield
(maybe 3 yards past the down marker before turning around.)
Play 6
Hopkins would have done better taking a straight stem or took it a little to the outside first;
instead, he started his stem to the inside immediately, giving the safety a clue to the quick in route.
It was a bang bang play; the commentator saw no reason for a PI call.
(But that's beside the point; Hopkins could have taken a better stem on the route.)
For the still shots that you can view one by one, click here:
http://s1217.photobucket.com/user/76Texan/library/Hopkins/vs%20LSU
First, click on the top left photo.
When you get to the View Page, you can use the NEXT button to move along the series.
See for yourself:
http://s1217.photobucket.com/user/76Texan/slideshow/Hopkins/vs%20LSU
Play 1 - 10:52 Second Qtr
Defender forced Hopkins out of bound.
Play 2 - 13:50 Third Qtr
Hopkins couldn't hold on to the ball as LB pulled his arms apart.
Also, it looks like he caugh the nose of the football.
Play 3 - 1:42 Third Qtr
On a quick in, Hopkins couldn't on to the ball as the safety came up with a hit that jarred the ball loose.
Play 4 - 3:53 Fourth Qtr
Hopkins allowed the CB Simon to pin him to the side line, not giving the QB much room to work with.
He didn't get any separation, and thus had a hard time with the play.
One or two more steps inside and he would have the room along the side line to use his body to shield the defender from the ball.
Look how he got closer and closer to the sideline on the vertical stem.
Toward the end of the play, he was on the white little yard markers along the side line;
that is just too close to the side line.
He let the CB win the inside position.
Play 5 - 1:38 Fourth Qtr
The ball went right through his hands.
Play 5 - 1:32 Fourth Qtr
Hopkins could have pressed the route a couple yards further before he made the come back.
No separation allowed the CB to be right on him.
The ball was right where it needed to be if only he had worked a couple more yard downfield
(maybe 3 yards past the down marker before turning around.)
Play 6
Hopkins would have done better taking a straight stem or took it a little to the outside first;
instead, he started his stem to the inside immediately, giving the safety a clue to the quick in route.
It was a bang bang play; the commentator saw no reason for a PI call.
(But that's beside the point; Hopkins could have taken a better stem on the route.)
For the still shots that you can view one by one, click here:
http://s1217.photobucket.com/user/76Texan/library/Hopkins/vs%20LSU
First, click on the top left photo.
When you get to the View Page, you can use the NEXT button to move along the series.
I agree with this guy..
http://www.battleredblog.com/2013/2...fl-draft-deandre-hopkins-better-than-expected
Overall: 91
Hopkins is currently rated as my number three receiver but I could see him over take Patterson or Allen if there are any slip ups. Hopkins is supremely able and well rounded. A great route runner, Hopkins greatest ability is his amazing control of his body and ability to throw defenders off balance. He has a great frame with length much greater than a player his height and a strong frame. His ability to fight for balls and mechanic to make every catch is extremely refined. His blocking needs work but the size and willingness are there. Hopkins ability as a deep threat are probably some of the best in the class. Only Patterson's YAC ability exceeds Hopkins' ability as a deep threat. If Hopkins is available at the 27th overall pick I would be ecstatic. He is the most refined receiver in the draft.
http://www.battleredblog.com/2013/2...fl-draft-deandre-hopkins-better-than-expected
Overall: 91
Hopkins is currently rated as my number three receiver but I could see him over take Patterson or Allen if there are any slip ups. Hopkins is supremely able and well rounded. A great route runner, Hopkins greatest ability is his amazing control of his body and ability to throw defenders off balance. He has a great frame with length much greater than a player his height and a strong frame. His ability to fight for balls and mechanic to make every catch is extremely refined. His blocking needs work but the size and willingness are there. Hopkins ability as a deep threat are probably some of the best in the class. Only Patterson's YAC ability exceeds Hopkins' ability as a deep threat. If Hopkins is available at the 27th overall pick I would be ecstatic. He is the most refined receiver in the draft.
leebigeztx
Keep it Movin!
I saw the same thing and that wasmy concern. He doesn't get good seperation and if u look at his 20 yd shuttle,you will see and alarmingtime that backs it up. That's why I was more in favor of a burst guy like hunter or williams. Maybe even king from Georgie who torched Alabama.
Playoffs
Hall of Fame
Hopkins was definitely a downfield receiver , versus dink & screen...
http://secondroundstats.com/2013/02/04/tier1-wrs/
- Surprisingly, Hopkins was a major deep threat. This surprised me because I thought of Hopkins as a guy who ran a lot of curls and mid-range outside routes. We see that 70% of his catches were past 6 yards. The highest in the major WRs for this class, excepting Terrance Williams
- DeAndre Hopkins shows us how much deeper he caught the ball than the others. On average he caught the ball 12 yards from the LOS, before YAC.
How Did Their Systems Help/Hurt Them?
- Hopkins numbers would be obscene with more targets. Hes looking at north of 1600 yards with more targets, this of course is due to his high average catch distance.
http://secondroundstats.com/2013/02/04/tier1-wrs/
A receiver's production is directly tied with his QB.
If he has a good QB, the receiver should be helped.
In the same article, you would find that Tyler Bray didn't help Hunter as he missed quite a few deep balls.
By the same token, Zac Maynard didn't help Kennan Allen (who isn't a speed guy to start) with his weak arm. If you don't have time to watch the California Golden Bear, you can still read about it.
Furthermore, their schedule is stacked against good secondary in the PAC 12 this past year.
Their non-conference schedule had Ohio St., who has as a good secondary as any in the country. One CB, Roby, was a Jr that is rated number one in his class, and is predicted to be the number one corner taken in the draft next year.
The other CB is Howard, our UDFA; the nickel/3rd safety is Another of our UDFA.
One of their safeties is predicted to be the number two safety in the draft next year. The other boasts 4.43 speed.
Nevada is another non-conference opponent; they had a CB Wooten who is a 6th rd pick as a safety Duke Williams who is a 4th rd pick.
Hopkins faced nowhere near the competition.
And you already know that pre-draft, I had even downgraded Allen's status to unknown, due to his lack of speed and injury concern.
If he has a good QB, the receiver should be helped.
In the same article, you would find that Tyler Bray didn't help Hunter as he missed quite a few deep balls.
By the same token, Zac Maynard didn't help Kennan Allen (who isn't a speed guy to start) with his weak arm. If you don't have time to watch the California Golden Bear, you can still read about it.
Furthermore, their schedule is stacked against good secondary in the PAC 12 this past year.
Their non-conference schedule had Ohio St., who has as a good secondary as any in the country. One CB, Roby, was a Jr that is rated number one in his class, and is predicted to be the number one corner taken in the draft next year.
The other CB is Howard, our UDFA; the nickel/3rd safety is Another of our UDFA.
One of their safeties is predicted to be the number two safety in the draft next year. The other boasts 4.43 speed.
Nevada is another non-conference opponent; they had a CB Wooten who is a 6th rd pick as a safety Duke Williams who is a 4th rd pick.
Hopkins faced nowhere near the competition.
And you already know that pre-draft, I had even downgraded Allen's status to unknown, due to his lack of speed and injury concern.
Boyd isn't a great qb either. He's very overrated. And to say that Hopkins faced "nowhere near the competition" that Keenan Allen did is extreme hyperbole and makes it hard for me to take you seriously. We get it. You like Keenan Allen and don't like Hopkins. Great. Most of us disagree and have watched a lot of games as well.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
I don't know your opinion on Allen but you have very clearly displayed an intention to slag Hopkins far beyond anything credible.
I'm sure it's very unpopular to point out the lacking of a first rounder of the local team.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
It has nothing to do with unpopular. It has to do with you staking out a position and then doing everything possible to defend it. Every good play is on the QB. Every bad play is on Hopkins. It is ridiculous and transparent. I think you are being a joke on this one. Now carry on, I'm done.
As far as the QBs are concerned, the ACC coaches selected Tajh Boyd as the Offensive Player of he Year.
In the SEC, the coaches put Johnny Football on the first team, AJ McCarron on the second team and Aaron Murray got HM.
There was no Tyler Bray anywhere on the list.
Same thing goes for Zac Maynard.
In the SEC, the coaches put Johnny Football on the first team, AJ McCarron on the second team and Aaron Murray got HM.
There was no Tyler Bray anywhere on the list.
Same thing goes for Zac Maynard.
That is what you're saying, not I.
If that's the case then I'd hate to see how much time you'd spend trying to discredit a player you don't like then.
I spent a lot of time on Jason Allen even though I didn't dislike him as much as people thought, LOL!
I simply pointed out that he played at the level of a journeyman.
My entire point is that I don't see Hopkins as a first rounder.
I also said that I'm not even sure I like any receiver in this draft class in the first.
htownfan32
Hall of Fame
So in your opinion, the draft falling the way it did, who would you have taken in the 1st? Would you have traded down?
htownfan32
Hall of Fame
iirc you took... Barkevious Mingo in the TT mock? So maybe a pass rusher? Or were you thinking/hoping for an NT?
My position was to trade out of the first round.
Take whichever receiver you like in the second, and use the extra picks on other positions of your preference.
The Patriots trade was there, so it's not like it's not do-able.
BTW, Mike Mayock, who may be the most reputable draft analyst out there, did not have Hopkins in the first round.
Both CBS Sports and NFL Draft Scout also had him solidly in the second.
Take whichever receiver you like in the second, and use the extra picks on other positions of your preference.
The Patriots trade was there, so it's not like it's not do-able.
BTW, Mike Mayock, who may be the most reputable draft analyst out there, did not have Hopkins in the first round.
Both CBS Sports and NFL Draft Scout also had him solidly in the second.
Mike Mayock also had Duane Brown going in the third round and said he didn't see him as an elite Left Tackle prospect. This game can be played all day.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
He also had Geno Smith going #6 overall. Good luck with the swami argument.
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
Although Mayock didn't have Hopkins as a 1st rounder, he recognizes that certain players are going to be rated by certain teams because of scheme fit. One of the examples he gave was Hopkins. Although Hopkins wasn't the highest rated guy on Mayock's board, he considered him a better fit for the Texans than the other guys.
You're looking at this like "all things are created equal" when they're not.
You're saying trade back into the second and then take whatever receiver falls to you and get a whole bunch of other picks. And that's a great strategy IF:
1. You don't really care which receiver you get.
2. You think you have a lot of holes you've got to fill
3. You don't mind filling those holes with lesser round talent.
But I think it's pretty plain that the Texans favored Hopkins over the other guys and not just by a little. So they CARED about which receiver they got and they got the one they wanted. If they had traded back, they might not have and they would have had to "settle" for a guy. If they weren't careful, there might have been 0 receivers that they really liked falling to them.
And they weren't wanting a bunch of lower round picks because they felt like they had enough of them. When Smith got the guys he wanted, that's when he traded back and picked up lower round picks. Everything after the 4th round was gravy.
TexansSeminole
Hall of Fame
I would agree that having Tajh Boyd was extremely beneficial to Hopkins. I don't understand why some people think Boyd is overrated. I'm not picking on any poster here, because I live in ACC country and I hear it down here as well. I have Boyd as my #1 quarterback prospect for next year. He and Bridgewater look the most impressive to me.
Boyd is somewhat like a Russell Wilson, in that he just makes plays. He doesn't stand out physically, but he just makes it happen. I remember Russell Wilson at NC State and he was an absolute monster, much like Boyd. I was always very high on Wilson, much higher than most, but maybe that's because not alot of people got to see him play for NC State. It was not like at Wisconson; many times at NC State he would throw it 40 times a game. He was so good and used to BURN Florida State. Boyd does the same thing.
More on topic, Hopkins is probably pretty difficult to grade. Clemson's offense is so unique and Tajh Boyd does keep plays alive with his legs, that sometimes guys just get WIDE open. I love Hopkins though and I think he is going to be a hell of a pro. Many times that he did get wide open, he got himself open through route running precision, so I am not at all concerned about him being a product of their system.
Boyd is somewhat like a Russell Wilson, in that he just makes plays. He doesn't stand out physically, but he just makes it happen. I remember Russell Wilson at NC State and he was an absolute monster, much like Boyd. I was always very high on Wilson, much higher than most, but maybe that's because not alot of people got to see him play for NC State. It was not like at Wisconson; many times at NC State he would throw it 40 times a game. He was so good and used to BURN Florida State. Boyd does the same thing.
More on topic, Hopkins is probably pretty difficult to grade. Clemson's offense is so unique and Tajh Boyd does keep plays alive with his legs, that sometimes guys just get WIDE open. I love Hopkins though and I think he is going to be a hell of a pro. Many times that he did get wide open, he got himself open through route running precision, so I am not at all concerned about him being a product of their system.
He also thought Reggie Bush was the greatest prospect ever and at one time had Reggie McNeal as the top rated QB in the 2006 draft. Mayock is not above swinging and missing wildly.
Thorn
Dirty Old Man
I agree with this. I think he'll end up being the #2 receiver we've been waiting for. In the long run though, we'll still have to somehow get a new #1 receiver and I'm not sure this guy is it.