Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians has been coaching at the NFL level since 1989, and he has a deep well to draw from when making comparisons.
According to the two-time Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year, Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins is a mix between two Carolina Panthers legendary receivers, Muhsin Muhammad and Steve Smith.
“For a fast guy, he’s probably one of the more physical guys in the league,” Arians said Tuesday in his press conference. “Physicality, he’s like a Muhsin Muhammad, but he’s faster. He’s a combination of Muhammad and Steve Smith.”
Muhammad established himself as the leading receiver for the expansion Panthers as a 1996 second-round draft pick from Michigan State. Using his ability to “box” defenders throughout his routes, Muhammad caught 696 passes for 9,255 yards and 50 touchdowns in his 11 seasons in Carolina, earning two Pro Bowl selections in the process.
Smith played alongside Muhammad and eventually took over the No. 1 role. The former 2001 third-round pick from Utah used his speed, fire and play-style that was far bigger than his 5-9, 195-pound frame. Smith went to five Pro Bowls, tallying 14,731 yards and 80 touchdowns.
“He’ll beat you up and just take the ball,” Arians said of Hopkins. “It’s his ball, he’s going to take it. And Deshaun is going to throw it to him because he knows he’s going to catch it.”
Though honorable comparisons, Hopkins has built his own legacy in the NFL. With four Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro selections to date, Hopkins is well on his way to a Hall of Fame career, recording 627 receptions for 8,579 yards and 54 touchdowns through his first seven seasons in the NFL.
In 2019, Hopkins has given defenses fits, recording the second-most receptions on the year with 99. He has turned that into 1,142 yards and seven touchdowns. The Buccaneers should have trouble defending him on Saturday, as all defenses have since 2013.