The Houston Texans passing offense exploded, but one staple of the aerial attack that did not have a big game from a fantasy football perspective is receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
For Marcus Grant at NFL.com, it begs the question: what do you do with Hopkins now that his big games are few and far between because of quarterback Deshaun Watson spreading the ball around?
On the one hand, while Hopkins didn’t score a touchdown, his seven catches for 88 yards was better than anything he’s given you since Week 1. On the other hand, it was the fourth straight week that Nuk had fewer than 10 targets — the first time that’s happened since 2014. That second part is what should be the biggest concern. There are a lot more places in the offense for Deshaun Watson to go with the ball (see: Fuller, Will), which means that Hopkins’ target ceiling is probably going to be lower than we’re used to seeing it. At some point, the big weeks are coming but they might be fewer and further between than in past years
Watson completed 28-of-33 for 426 yards, five touchdowns, posted a 158.3 passer rating, and did not take a single sack. The recipients of Watson’s big day included receiver Will Fuller, who had a career day with 14 catches for 217 yards and three touchdowns on 17 targets, and tight end Darren Fells, who caught two touchdown passes, tying a single-game high from two season ago when he was with the Detroit Lions. Hopkins wasn’t exactly a big part of it from a fantasy perspective.
The two-time All-Pro is off to a so-so start through five games. His 31 catches are the fourth-highest of his career through five games, and his 347 receiving yards are fifth-highest. Hopkins’ two touchdowns, only obtained in Week 1, are the second-lowest of his career through the first five games.
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