NFL Soup|Tuesday, May 21, 2013

DeAndre Hopkins 2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report 

deandre hopkins

Player: DeAndre Hopkins

Position: Wide Receiver

College: Clemson

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 214 lbs

Arm Length: 33 3/8”

Hands: 10”

40 Time: 4.55

Strengths

Solid route-runner used in the short, intermediate, and deep games.  Does a nice job creating separation and setting up defensive backs with head fakes and quick moves. Possesses strong hands in traffic.  Snatches throws with his hands. Catches and extends his long arms to make a big radius. Controls body on catches and pluck the ball out of the air, keeping both feet in-bounds on the sideline. Crafty stalk blocker, often times aligning himself perfectly between the defender and the ball carrier in the running game.

Weaknesses

Average size receiver need to add bulk to his frame. Must prove his ability to use his hands to beat press coverage off the line against NFL caliber corners. Does not possess elite top end speed needed to stretch the field as an outside receiver.  Make too many lateral moves after the catch, instead of heading upfield. Need to be more consistently physical in the blocking game at the next level.

Overall

While at Clemson, Hopkins produced consistently using his NFL body and hands.  His 10 inch hands and long arms gives him and added advantage in catching the football. He is considered the best hands catching receivers in this year’s draft.  Hopkins shows the versatility to play inside and outside as a receiver. This versatility will makes him a draft day gem.

Draft Range: Late 1st – Early 2nd

Interested Teams: Rams, Vikings, Panthers, Patriots

NFL Player Comparison: Roddy White

College Video Highlights:

About the author: Rodney Reynolds

Rodney Reynolds is a fantasy football enthusiast. He is a freelance sports writer specialized in evaluating skill sets and football talents of high school, college and professional athletes. Feel free to email him at [email protected].

Add a Comment