Was DeAndre Hopkins Worth The 7th Pick?

Jan 14, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) before the AFC Divisional playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /

Was DeAndre Hopkins Worth The 7th Pick?

DeAndre Hopkins was typically taken 7^th in Fantasy Football Drafts. Was DeAndre Hopkins worth the 7^th pick? The Houston Texans wide receiver was coming into the season off of a very strong 2015 campaign. Hopkins was one of the Top 10 Non-QB’s in 2015, his 2016 campaign did not have as kind of finish. The following paragraphs will look at why Hopkins was drafted in the first round, what went wrong, and what his outlook is for 2017.

2015 Season

DeAndre Hopkins had a phenomenal 2015 season. Hopkins was the 8^th best non-QB in terms of fantasy points. DeAndre had 111 catches for 1521 yards. Hopkins had eleven touchdowns and 220 fantasy points. Hopkins had several different QB’s throwing him the ball that season: Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, T.J. Yates, and Brandon Weeden. Most of the Texans games saw Brian Hoyer manning the QB position. The Texans ended up winning their division in 2015 with a 9-7 record. The team was eliminated from the playoffs in the first round in an embarrassing 30-0 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs. The embarrassing playoff defeat lead to the team going in a new direction at quarterback, which brings us to the 2016 season.

2016 Season

As mentioned earlier, DeAndre Hopkins was typically taken 7^th in drafts according to FantasyPros ADP data. This was due to his strong 2015 campaign. The Texans signed Brock Osweiler to a large contract to be their starting QB and it did not end well. The 2016 season saw a drastic drop in production from Hopkins.

Hopkins finished with only 119 fantasy points, he was ranked 36^th at WR, and 67^th in terms of non QB players. Hopkins only had 954 yards with 4 touchdowns, a huge drop from 2015. The signing of Brock Osweiler appeared to be a mistake. It would be ideal if he had chemistry with Hopkins. It’s not like Brian Hoyer is an All-Pro QB… He and the ragtag group of QB’s in 2015 were able to help Hopkins finish in the Top 10 for Non-QB Fantasy Points. Hopkins finished with 41 less targets, 33 less receptions, 567 less yards, 7 less touchdowns, and 101 less fantasy points than 2015. Hopkin’s was one of the biggest busts of the 2016 fantasy season.

Outlook

DeAndre Hopkins production in 2017 will hopefully be better than 2016. 2016 should see improved QB play. That play will hinge on a QB other than Brock Osweiler as he was traded to the Cleveland Browns. Hopkins draft stock will most certainly be lower than it was coming into the 2016 season. He is now coming off of a horrible year as opposed to a good one. I may be wrong, but I figure 2017 HAS to be better than 2016. Hopkins is too good for the Texans brass to not realize that they need to get Hopkins the ball.

Conclusion

DeAndre Hopkins was a huge bust in 2016. If you took him with your first round pick you potentially doomed your whole season, or impeded your chances of winning greatly. Hopkins is a good lesson in what an unpredictable change in the offense can do to a players season. The Texans brought Osweiler in to QB the team, no one figured it would have such a dramatic impact on Hopkins’ season. As a result, Hopkins was still drafted in the first round. Hopkins should have a bounce back season in 2017. Savvy fantasy owners might be able to get Hopkins as he slides down the draft board. It will be interesting to see what Hopkins’ ADP is this season, it certainly will not be high.

Next: Was Ezekiel Elliot Worth The 6th Pick In Fantasy Football Drafts?

Stay tuned to Fantasy CPR as we take a look back at the 2016 Fantasy Football season and get you ready for all the 2017 Fantasy Football actioN!

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