Houston Texans 5 Most Important Players of 2015

Dec 21, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

3. WR DeAndre Hopkins

The former first-round pick out of Clemson has quickly become one of my favorite players in the league, and I won’t forget his 9/238/2 performance against the Tennessee Titans in Week 13 last season. Hopkins was money all season long, too, as he averaged an astounding 9.5 yards per target thanks to an absolutely electric 15.9 yards per reception.

He’s a playmaker in every sense, and I agreed wholeheartedly with O’Brien when he said that Hopkins is already one of the best in the business. Hopkins is consistent, possesses good hands, is capable of going off for monster games (that Titans game was a prime example), and he’s a real threat with the ball in his hands.

Nuk had 1,210 receiving yards on 76 catches with six touchdowns, and, as the No. 1 receiver now with Andre Johnson a member of the Indianapolis Colts, we can only expect more from his next season. The playmaking ability he brings to the table makes him incredibly valuable to the Texans offense, and while his efficiency will go down now that he’ll be the focal point for defenses, his importance to the organization has only increased. Of course, they wouldn’t have let Johnson go if they weren’t big believers in Hopkins, so we can fully expect him to deliver with increased duties.

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