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DeAndre Hopkins 2022 NFL Player Outlook: Delayed Start A Blessing In Disguise
3 years agoAfter the news broke that Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins would be suspended for six games due to violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy, his draft cost began to plummet, and rightfully so. The question is, how far does he have to fall to be worth drafting? Since joining the Cardinals, Hopkins has totaled 157 receptions for 1,979 yards and 14 touchdowns in 26 games. His on-field production has been elite and will be again this year. What stands out is that he only played in 26 out of 33 total games due to missing seven games last season. The 30-year-old missed only two games in his previous eight seasons, so health has been a strength; however, age 30 has historically been when the drop-off begins. This raises concerns about his ability to play an entire season, but fortunately, he no longer needs to. Not only does the Clemson product get an extra six weeks to get healthy and prepare for 2022, but he'll only play six games before the Cardinals' Week 13 bye and another five games after the bye. This sets him up optimally to remain healthy and maintain the elite production he had last season before his injury occurred. Hopkins is currently ranked 39th in Rotoballer's rankings and, since the suspension news broke on May 2nd, 2022, has an ADP of 74 overall, behind other receivers such as Hunter Renfrow, Amari Cooper, and Adam Thielen. While these receivers offer top-30 production with top-20 upside, none of them possess the ceiling Hopkins does, making him an intriguing draft pick at this spot.
