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

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.

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