Fantasy Football: Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins set to be a top QB-WR duo

The Cardinals created fantasy football stars pairing DeAndre Hopkins with Kyler Murray.

In perhaps the most shocking move of the 2020 NFL offseason, perennial All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was shipped from the Houston Texans to the Arizona Cardinals for a price many deemed (and still deem) to be laughable.

Now, one of the league’s most promising young quarterbacks, Kyler Murray, and one of the more offensive-savvy coaches, Kliff Kingsbury, are gifted a new toy to build upon their impressive 2019 debut. Could we see Murray and Hopkins rise up and assert themselves as fantasy football’s top QB-WR duo in 2020?

In Murray’s 2019 rookie campaign,  he became the sixth player overall to throw for more than 3,500 yards and run for more than 500 yards. Murray also set the NFL rookie record with 211 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, per ESPN.

Murray’s rare arm talent and quickness make him a thrilling watch on Sundays. His ability to make big-time throws was evident in his rookie campaign and his baseball background shows itself in his unwieldy confidence to let the ball fly. PFF (subscription required) had Murray pegged as the league’s sixth-best passer of throws at least 20 yards downfield in 2019.

Murray finished as last year’s QB7 in total fantasy points scored. As of the end of June of this year, Murray’s Average Draft Position (ADP) sits around the No. 56 spot, ahead of fellow mobile quarterbacks Russell Wilson (60) and Deshaun Watson (57).

The fantasy football value of DeAndre Hopkins with Murray

Hopkins, fantasy football’s WR9 in 2019, is a fierce, physical presence on the outside. A developed route technician, Hopkins has morphed into one of the league’s best at contested catches and targeting throws at their high point.

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Hopkins will complement Murray’s likeness to attack the deep parts of the field. Since 2017, despite Hopkins running 50.8 percent of his routes against man press coverage, he hosts the highest receiving grade of any receiver (92.5) versus single coverage with no separation, per PFF.

Now in the NFC West, Hopkins will reprise his rivalry with Los Angeles Ram’s defensive back Jalen Ramsey, as the two are set to face off in two divisional games in 2020. In his career appearances facing Ramsey, Hopkins has accumulated 32 catches, 396 yards and two touchdowns on 59 targets.

With Hopkins’ ADP currently sitting around 10, you may find yourself pinned between selecting Hopkins and receivers Julio Jones (ADP 14), Chris Godwin (16) and Mike Evans (22).

Alongside fellow receivers Christian Kirk and Larry Fitzgerald, Hopkins gives Murray a go-to target that can make plays at any part of the field for the foreseeable future. Where do you see Murray and Hopkins finishing among 2020’s best QB-WR duos? It’s hard to think that it won’t be quite high when the season’s done.