Arizona Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins ranks No. 3 in PFF’s top WR list

Pro Football Focus’ Anthony Treash released his list of the top 2022 NFL wideouts that saw Arizona Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins rank at No. 3.

The wideout recorded 572 yards, 42 catches and eight touchdowns in just 10 games in 2021. Hopkins underwent surgery to repair a torn MCL last season.

Hopkins had a 79.8 overall and 81.1 receiving PFF grade in 2021, a considerably low number compared to the other top receivers in the NFL.

Hopkins’ nagging injury meant that the Cardinals couldn’t get the most out of him in 2021. And now they’re guaranteed not to have him for a minimum of six games due to an offseason suspension for a positive PED test. Still, there’s no denying that the 10th-year pro is one of the NFL’s best when healthy.

Hopkins finished sixth or better in receiving grade in five of the six seasons between 2015 and 2020, seasons filled with highlight-reel toe-tappers, contested wins and spectacular grabs from off-target throws. Since joining Arizona in 2020, his 1.8% drop rate is the second-best in the NFL.

In May, head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Hopkins’ return from a PED suspension in Week 7 would be a “shot in the arm.”

Kingsbury sports a 42-20-1 record in Games 1-7 and a 17-45 mark from Game 8 on, so Hopkins could be a much-needed boost for an Arizona team that faces three playoff contenders out of the gate from his return.

PFF ranked Las Vegas Raiders’ Davante Adams first (92.7 PFF grade) and the Los Angeles Rams’ Cooper Kupp second (92.3) on their list.

No other Cardinals were featured on the list of the top 32 WRs.