ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins makes PFF’s 1st-quarter All-Pro Team

Oct 8, 2020, 8:30 AM

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) tries to elude Washington Football Team safety...

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) tries to elude Washington Football Team safety Kamren Curl (31) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

The Arizona Cardinals (2-2) may not be where they want a quarter of the way through 2020, but as they question why they’ve stumbled after a 2-0 start, they can feel confident their biggest offseason acquisition is not the reason why.

DeAndre Hopkins through four games has been as reliable as Arizona hoped and leads the NFL with 39 receptions. His 397 yards so far project him at 1,588 yards if he keeps that pace for 16 games — that’d be a career-high for the four-time All-Pro.

And he’s well on his way to a fifth All-Pro selection so far in 2020. Pro Football Focus’ Sam Monson named Hopkins to PFF’s first-quarter All-Pro First Team.

The trade for Hopkins was already a lopsided victory on paper for the Cardinals, but seeing it play out on the field only reinforces Arizona’s win. Hopkins has been as advertised and leads the league in catches while being second in targets through four weeks. He has been an instant hit in this offense and even revealed a little more to his game that wasn’t always highlighted in Houston. Hopkins has continued to be as good as any receiver in the game, despite working in a new offense with a new quarterback. He is a true All-Pro.

Hopkins’ quick chemistry with second-year Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has made him the third-most targeted receiver (46 targets) in the NFL after Dallas’ Amari Cooper (49) and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Keenan Allen (48).

Murray has connected with Hopkins on 85% of those targets, the 10th-best mark in the NFL.

No other Cardinals made PFF’s All-Pro teams, but Hopkins is in fresh company at the receiver position. Minnesota Vikings rookie Justin Jefferson, a first-round pick out of LSU, joins Hopkins on the All-Pro First Team.

Jefferson has only 16 receptions but for 348 yards. That’s 21.8 yards per catch.

Jefferson’s teammate, Adam Thielen, and Allen made PFF’s All-Pro Second Team at receiver.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

23 hours ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

1 day ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins makes PFF’s 1st-quarter All-Pro Team