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The Houston Texans have a huge question mark they have to answer in 2020: how will their passing game be effective without three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins?
According to the NFL Network’s Nate Burleson, the loss of Hopkins could be offset by the addition of former Los Angeles Rams receiver Brandin Cooks, who has played with Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Jared Goff over his six previous seasons.
“Maybe in a strange way, Brandin Cooks brings a little experience, maybe a little more stability, and maybe the balance of Deshaun Watson dropping back and not having to look at [Hopkins] every, single time and then go through his progressions,” Burleson said. “Now, he can kind of find that balance.”
Burleson, who played in the NFL from 2003-14 for the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and Cleveland Browns, compared to the loss of Hopkins to the retirement of three-time All-Pro wideout Calvin Johnson, who had played for the Detroit Lions from 2007-15.
“It was the first time that Matt Stafford was able to distribute the ball without Calvin Johnson,” said Burleson. “We saw him almost elevate his game a little bit.”
The season after Johnson retired, the Lions’ passing game was expected to be abysmal and Detroit was expected to struggle. Stafford produced a 93.3 passer rating, 10 interceptions, tied for his lowest in a 16-game season, and the Lions qualified for the postseason as a wild-card.
Said Burleson: So, the biggest question for me is what is going to happen with the Houston Texans without D-Hop? Because this could work and everything could go fine and seamlessly. Or, it could fail because they don’t have the chemistry.”
The trading of Hopkins to help the Texans add layers of productive players is a risky move on the part of coach Bill O’Brien, now with full-time general manager duties. But if it gets the Texans into the AFC Championship Game or further, it was simple addition by subtraction.
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