Why DeAndre Hopkins could re-emerge as a top WR in 2024.
After two underwhelming seasons with the Arizona Cardinals in 2021 and 2022, All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins got his career back on track in 2023 in his first year as a member of the Tennessee Titans.
Thanks to the Titans finishing with a disappointing 6-11 record last season, Hopkins’ performance got lost in the shuffle a bit. In 17 games with Tennessee during the 2023 campaign, the veteran receiver caught 75 passes for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns.
For his efforts out on the field last season, PFF gave Hopkins their 18th-highest receiving grade among qualifying wide receivers in the NFL. Hopkins’ receiving grade from PFF in 2023 was better than a number of other notable pass-catchers around the league, including Stefon Diggs, Davante Adams and Amari Cooper.
Possibly the most impressive part about Hopkins’ performance last season is the fact that the Titans ranked 30th in the NFL in total pass attempts. However, the veteran wide receiver shouldn’t have to worry about Tennessee not passing the football as much during the 2024 campaign.
Earlier this year, the Titans named former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan their new head coach. Tennessee will run a more modern offense with Callahan leading the charge, which will likely mean more targets for Hopkins.
During each of Callahan’s last two seasons as the Bengals’ offensive coordinator, his offenses ranked among the top 10 in the league in pass attempts. He is still going to want the Titans to utilize their rushing attack, but at the very least, the team’s approach on offense should be more balanced under their new head coach in 2024.
Tennessee adding veteran wide receiver Calvin Ridley this offseason should also create some easier opportunities for Hopkins in 2024. Ridley put up solid numbers in 17 games with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season (76 catches, 1,016 yards, eight touchdowns), so opposing defenses will essentially have to pick their poison when it comes to covering him and Hopkins in 2024.
Hopkins is still one of the best route-runners in the NFL, and he’s probably going to have a significant amount of one-on-one opportunities next season. Even at the current age of 31, don’t be surprised if he returns to playing at a level during the 2024 campaign that looks reminiscent of how he performed when he was a First-Team All-Pro in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
