Nov 22, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) is defended by New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) during game at NRG Stadium. Houston won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
3. DeAndre Hopkins – Wide Receiver, Clemson; 2013 1st round 27th overall
What a selection DeAndre Hopkins ended up being for the Texans. The team was looking for some youth at the receiver spot and they hit a home run with their 27th pick in 2013.
The Clemson Tiger receiver got less headlines than his running mate in Carolina, Sammy Watkins, who was picked much higher the following draft.
To this point, “Nuk” Hopkins looks to have been the much better selection. After a solid rookie season he has done nothing but improve, culminating in a breakout season in 2015.
12 weeks in and “Nuk” has 81 receptions for 1,081 yards and nine touchdowns. He also has made some great highlight reel catches. One he caught a football using his helmet to secure it, another he hauled in a one-handed catch which proved to be the game winner against the previously undefeated Cincinnati Bengals.
At just 23-years old it wouldn’t be crazy to assume that Hopkins will one day own all the receiving records there are for the Texans. The sky is the limit for the young player who is simply exploding now that he is the number one receiver in Houston.
Next: The real first face of the franchise