Arizona Cardinals fans know that receiver DeAndre Hopkins is one of the best at his position in the NFL. However, he missed the last half of last season with hamstring and knee injuries, and he will be suspended the first six games of the coming season.
Last year, he was ranked the second-best receiver in the NFL. In ESPN’s new rankings entering 2022, based on votes from players, coaches and executives, Hopkins fell to seventh overall.
He is not even the highest-ranked receiver in the NFC West. He trails Davante Adams, Cooper Kupp, Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Tyreek HIll and Stefon Diggs.
Hopkins was on a route to potentially becoming the No. 1 receiver — he ranked No. 2 last year — but then missed seven games because of injury, including a sprained knee that required surgery. Then in May, Hopkins was suspended six games this season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Hopkins admitted to a November drug test that contained traced elements of a banned substance, which shocked and confused the player. So Hopkins has work to do to re-enter the top-five discussion.
“He’s still a high-end guy for me because of his ability to battle and make contested catches,” a veteran NFL coach said. “If the ball’s in the air, I trust him to get it. Simple as that.”
The production was still there in limited action, with Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray posting a 95.9 Total QBR when targeting him, including eight touchdowns to zero interceptions. But 42 catches and 572 yards — a pace short of 1,000 yards over a 17-game format — were career lows, and Hopkins has now failed to produce double-digit touchdowns in three straight seasons.
It is easy to forget what impact a player has when he is not on the field, but the emergence of other receivers in the league and his turning 30 now means that he has to do some work to prove he belongs in the same conversation as the top guys on this list.
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