Former Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson knew that his former teammate, wideout DeAndre Hopkins, was one of the best wideouts in the NFL, if not the best overall.
After Hopkins collected his second consecutive All-Pro selection and tied Johnson’s own single-season franchise record with 115 catches, the inaugural Texans Ring of Honor member feels vindicated.
“I told people before the season he’s arguably the best receiver in football and a lot of people told me I was crazy,” Johnson said via the Houston Chronicle. “I don’t think the numbers lie.”
Indeed they don’t. Hopkins produced 1,572 yards and 11 touchdowns with his franchise-tying grabs in 2018. Since entering the NFL as a first-round pick from Clemson in 2013, Hopkins has caught 523 passes for 7,401 yards and 47 touchdowns. The catches are fifth-most, the yards third-most, and the touchdowns second-most behind Antonio Brown’s 67.
“I think the way he plays the game, I think that shows what caliber of receiver he is,” Johnson elaborated. “There are a lot of great young receivers in the game, but I rank him up there with anybody.”
What puts Hopkins in the category of possibly being the best receiver in the game is he has accumulated these statistics and accolades without the benefit consistency at quarterback. Brown has had Pro Bowler Ben Roethlisberger throwing him the ball, Demaryius Thomas the benefit of Peyton Manning, Julio Jones the luxury of Matt Ryan, and Golden Tate his choice of either Russell Wilson or Matt Stafford. Despite the turnstile at quarterback prior to the arrival of Deshaun Watson, Hopkins has still produced, much like Larry Fitzgerald, the only other receiver who has caught at least 500 passes since 2013 and had the same quarterback issues.
The prospect of Hopkins now having a Pro Bowler throwing him the ball only ups Johnson’s argument that his protégé is the best receiver in the game.
