Count NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks as another analyst who believes the Houston Texans offense will be better in 2020 without DeAndre Hopkins.
Brooks, who considers the opinion a “lukewarm take” in pro football commentary, joined Jonas Knox on Fox Sports Radio to explain his stance.
“The Houston Texans and Deshaun Watson are going to be better without DeAndre Hopkins,” Brooks said. “And I know that is going to fire people up because DeAndre Hopkins is arguably the best wide receiver in football. He’s a three-time All-Pro. He has ridiculous numbers and stats. He’s been clearly their best offensive player. However, removing DeAndre Hopkins out of the lineup will allow Deshaun Watson to be a better player. It will allow him to flourish because he won’t feel the inherent pressure to get the ball to No. 10.”
Brooks added that Watson, “a star ready to really pop,” will be forced to use every aspect of his game from stretching the field vertically to using the horizontal game. Additionally, running backs David Johnson and Duke Johnson will become integral to the passing game along with wideouts Brandin Cooks and Will Fuller.
“By removing DeAndre Hopkins, they’re actually going to enable Deshaun Watson to be a more efficient distributor,” said Brooks. “And, so, when you think about the best quarterbacks in football traditionally over the last five or six years, Drew Brees. You think about Tom Brady. Those guys have been able to do it with no-name players on the field at times and they’re unafraid to throw to everybody.”
Brooks also made the point that legendary Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre took a step in his development after injuries forced three-time All-Pro receiver Sterling Sharpe to retire after 1994. Favre was forced to distribute the ball, which led to his first of three consecutive NFL MVP starting in 1995.
The Texans have surrounded Watson with more diverse talent. If the move pays off in the form of an AFC Championship Game berth, fans will be pleased the organization’s addition by subtraction.
