DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson

[SuperPacker]

Originally Posted by BuddyCHRIST

Come on man, use your brain. If you want to say Marshall isn't the 3rd best WR in the league that's fine, but don't act like its ridiculous. He was awesome this year with absolutely no other WR to take pressure away.

Saying Marshall is top 3 isn't the ridiculous thing (even though he isn't). But saying that he is better than Larry Fitzgerald is.

[bearfan]

Originally Posted by SuperPacker

Saying Marshall is top 3 isn't the ridiculous thing (even though he isn't). But saying that he is better than Larry Fitzgerald is.

If he isn't top 3, then he is #4. Brandon Marshall was an absolute animal this year. He literally was the offense...everyone knew it and he still had 1500yards and 11tds. Coming from a Bears fan probably makes it seemed biased, but I watched him every week and I can tell you that I have never seen anyone play like how he did.

[AntoinCD]

DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson JR

6'1 205lbs

Statistically speaking Hopkins was one of the most prolific wideouts in college football this season. He finished the season with receptions of over 40 yards in 6 games, however do not let those numbers fool you into thinking he is a burner. Playing in an offense including impressive QB Tahj Boyd and stud sophomore WR Sammy Watkins it is easy to think that Hopkins' success was in large part because of seeing lesser coverage, and to an extent that did happen at times. However he also had good success against top flight CBs Xavier Rhodes and David Amerson.

When watching Hopkins the first thing that jumps off the screen to you is his ability to run clean, crisp routes. He is very adept at setting the CB up on both comeback and corner routes. Clemson also used him a lot on short patterns such as bubble screens where he could use his quick twitch athleticism to make defenders miss in the open field. Hopkins' use in the short passing game then also opens defenses up to succumb to double moves. When it comes to the NFL there are very few WRs who can simply run by coverage when going deep. The vast majority of guys need to be able to fake defenders by either using double moves or stemming their route to make it look like a cut is coming. Hopkins is extremely impressive in the former.

Against FSU he runs a move off what looks to be a corner route. The FSU defense appears to be in cover 2 with projected first round CB Xavier Rhodes squatting down in a short zone. It looks as though Hopkins is going to break inwards then towards the corner behind Rhodes. The safety bites and peaks into the backfield and at this point Hopkins straightens his route towards the end zone for an easy TD.

Against NC state when covered by David Amerson, also projected as either a first or second round pick, he scores another long TD off of a double move. This time he runs upfield and fakes to run an in breaking route. Amerson bites for a slight second and Hopkins straightens out for an easy TD.

The reason he is so good at running double moves is because he has an ability to get off the line of scrimmage well and gets on CBs very quickly. As I have stated he is not the fastest guy on the field but he has good explosion at the line and in and out of his routes.

Where he struggles sometimes is with concentration when there are bodies around him. His hands are by no means a weakness however it would be a stretch to say he has great hands.

As of right now I would say Hopkins is a solid first round pick who could go higher based on a good workout. He would be my 3rd WR after Keenan Allen and Cordarrelle Patterson at this point.

[Nastradamus]

Hopkins is going to be a stud. I think passing on him for a C.Patterson type will be a move a team regrets. He's very talented and also polished. He'll be a steal for someone.

[SC Igniter]

As a Clemson season ticket holder, agree that he gets off the line very well and runs good routes. He is money in the red zone, whether it was a slant or corner route, Boyd went to him again and again for a score. He has strong hands when contesting for the ball and is good in traffic. There is plenty of good tape of him that should be able to trump his 40 time. He is a good kid from a poor family setting living in the local Clemson area, quite an athlete, he led his HS team to be state champs and briefly played on Clemson's team last yr.

[Iamcanadian]

Hopkins will rise or fall on his 40 time. Right now, he's probably a high 2nd rounder but if his 40 time is a sub 4.50, then I could see him making it to round 1.
WR's always get a bounce one way or another by their 40 times at the combine.

[AntoinCD]

I think he runs somewhere in the 4.48-4.52 range. He isn't slow but he isn't elite speedwise

[Iamcanadian]

Originally Posted by AntoinCD

I think he runs somewhere in the 4.48-4.52 range. He isn't slow but he isn't elite speedwise

I agree and that is why he is ranked below Patterson and Allen who appear to have elite type speed, but the combine will tell the story.

[Nastradamus]

Anyone else see some Isaac Bruce in him?

[Iamcanadian]

Originally Posted by Nastradamus

Anyone else see some Isaac Bruce in him?

Yes, but Bruce was very fast when he was drafted and later learned how to survive as his speed diminished.

[Nastradamus]

Fair point

[BallerT1215]

Just wanted to bump this thread.

The more I look at DeAndre and think about the games I watched him vs. FSU and just vs. ACC in general, this kid was the real deal. Unfortunately I think Buffalo is not in the right spot to get him in 1st (maybe too early, but I wouldn't lose it if we did it ) or 2nd rnd (way to late, he should be gone way before our pick in 2nd).

He can run routes, he knows how to use his body, and is terrific at reaching the ball at its highest point. People will dog his timed speed but that does not deter me one bit. Nuk can play. Watch this highlight tape and tell me you wouldn't want him for your team if you need a WR. He is a #1 WR in the making for the NFL.

Fav Play - 1:10 mark