It takes a pass rusher to know one.
A former NFL linebacker who collected 57.0 career sacks from 1997-2010, Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel knows his fair share about pass rushing and sees some of the same traits in Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Vrabel — who coached linebackers in Houston from 2014-16 before taking the defensive coordinator job for a year — sees a skill set in Hopkins comparable to those trying to take down quarterback Deshaun Watson. Hopkins’ physicality, leverage play and hand movements are similar to that of a pass rusher.
“He does a great job with his hands, putting them on defenders’ arms and catching the wrist,” Vrabel told reporters Wednesday. “I mean, he’s almost like a pass rusher in that regard.”
Hopkins’ handwork makes him a tough matchup for cornerbacks. In a sense, he boxes with them when they get close to the line of scrimmage. His pass rush-like skill set makes for a nearly unguardable force.
A two-time All-Pro, Hopkins is putting up another season that warrants consideration to make the first-team for a third time. The former 2013 first-round pick has 93 receptions for 1,023 yards and seven touchdowns, and his receptions are the second-most in the league.
Hopkins has historically shredded the Titans with his pass rushing-like skill set. In 12 games against them, he has 77 receptions for 1,194 yards and seven touchdowns.
On Sunday, he’ll look to build on those numbers and sack Tennessee’s endeavor to take first place in the AFC South.
