PFF ranks Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins as 2nd-best WR in NFL
May 29, 2021, 7:11 AM
Marcus Epps #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles attempts to catch up to DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Many Arizona Cardinals fans spent the last season arguing that DeAndre Hopkins was the best wide receiver in the NFL. Pro Football Focus has given its opinion of the topic.
Hopkins is the second-best receiver in the game, PFF wrote. Green Bay Packers WR Davante Adams was in the top spot.
Hopkins saw a career-low average depth of target of 9.0 yards, well below his previous low of 10.8 yards thanks to Kliff Kingsbury’s offense pumping him screens and other underneath concepts. In turn, Nuk showcased more after the catch than ever before, tying for the most broken tackles at the position (21).
Even with that low of a depth of target average, Hopkins’ 1,407 receiving yards was the third-most in the league.
His 115 receptions were tied for second.
His 0.9% drop rate tied for the lowest mark among those with at least 100 targets in 2021, while his 13 contested catches tied for ninth. He hauled in 14 catches within a yard of the sideline, tying for the most in the NFL and extending his lead in that metric since entering the league to 26 (71 in total).
Adams also had 115 receptions, but he did so in 14 games compared to Hopkins’ 16.
Behind Adams and Hopkins in the ranking are Kansas City Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill, Chicago Bears receiver Allen Robinson and Atlanta Falcons pass-catcher Julio Jones.
