One person currently benefitting from the drama Andre Johnson has created this offseason is DeAndre Hopkins. The wide receiver was drafted out of Clemson with the expectations that he and Johnson would create one of the top wide receiver duos in the NFL. However, inconsistency prevented that from happening. Now, expectations are high that Hopkins improves off a rather quiet rookie year and thanks to Johnson's absence on the field, they are being met.
Prior to training camp beginning, Hopkins told the media that he had the mindset that he was the Houston Texans No. 1 receiver while Johnson was holding out and early reports are he is meeting those expectations of himself. According to team sources, Hopkins has been the star of camp while Johnson sat out with a hamstring issue. Head coach Bill O'Brien has done nothing but rave about Hopkins which should please Texans fans and fantasy football owners alike.
"He's one of the guys out there that I think is much improved from April 7, when we started, to where we are now. ... He's a guy that really, in our opinion, gets better and better every day. So just got to keep it going," O'Brien said, via the Houston Chronicle.
While Houston is loving the improvement of Hopkins, the sight of Johnson back on the field is a welcomed on. As of Tuesday, Johnson, Arian Foster and Brian Cushing were all back at practice after rehabbing various injuries. Foster and Johnson have not been on the field since the start of training camp, putting them a few steps back in the new offense. With Ryan Fitzpatrick now the official starting quarterback, Johnson and Foster must play catchup in regards to chemistry, something Hopkins already has which is impressing the veterans.
"He's playing with a lot of confidence," Johnson said. "I think that's the biggest thing. He has so much confidence right now, and that's something you just want to see him continue to build on. That's the thing about him. He works hard, he wants to be great, and that's a great thing to see in a young guy like that."
Fitzpatrick at the helm of the offense certainly limits the fantasy stock of everyone involved. While the veteran certainly has the talent of a starter, his two interceptions in the first preseason game leave little confidence around him. Owners looking to invest in a Texans' star should lean towards Hopkins and tight end Garrett considering how much work they have put in to date.
