Throughout the NFL’s 100-year history, many — notably Cris Carter, Jordy Nelson and Marvin Harrison — to make highlight reels daily for their toe-tapping abilities. However, according to Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien, one stands out over the rest.
DeAndre Hopkins.
Since 2013, Hopkins has made miraculous toe-drag receptions the norm in Houston. On Thursday night, in a 20-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts, he made another, which made the rounds through the whole media.
No matter the quarterback, Hopkins makes the uncatchable catchable.
“He is the best, personally, that I’ve ever seen at being able to toe-tap the sideline,” said O’Brien on Friday. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Often, officials are left wondering if Hopkins catches it or not. Similar to the reception on Thursday, he leaves those wearing stripes clueless as to if he catches it or not. Luckily, according to O’Brien, when he tells them he caught it, he caught it.
“He does it time and time again, and when he tells you he’s in bounds, he’s in bounds,” said O’Brien. When he tells you, ‘I didn’t get my second foot down,’ then he didn’t get his second foot down. He’s got an incredible knack for that.”
Hopkins can haul-in the improbable with his footwork. While his hands, capable of catching anything in sight, make for a complete receiver that the Texans target on every down.
“He is a chain mover, so he’s a guy that we got to on third down or first and second down to move the chains, and that’s great for a quarterback, and everybody knows he’s got awesome hands,” said O’Brien.
On the season, Hopkins has 81 receptions for 839 yards and six touchdowns. In Week 11, he became the second-youngest player to ever haul-in 600 NFL receptions (behind Larry Fitzgerald). His ability to navigate the tight rope played a large part in his name written in the history books.
