Is Hopkins now #1?

[FantasyFreak]

I argued against it coming into this year, but the guy is 23, and look what he is doing. I made a huge mistake (pre-trade Jimmy) and drafted JG over Hopkins in the 2nd round of a start-up this off-season. The worst trade I never made early last year in another was Terrance West. Christine Michael and Darren Sproles for Hopkins. Ugh. Still makes me sick. Both those RB's at the time were still actual commodities, but man that one stings. Anyway, yes he gets volume. His QB's suck and he constantly produces. His numbers are elite this year, and he is 23. Where would you take him in a start-up right now?

[Phaded]

You post this when there is already a multi-page topic about Hopkins right below this..

Just saying..

[joeday]

Yes. I traded Alshon for Hopkins and a 1 in a rebuild and was laughed at before the season...

[Coogan Football]

You post this when there is already a multi-page topic about Hopkins right below this..

Just saying..

I think he asked this SPECIFIC QUESTION for a reason, not to debate other things.

Yes, I think is at this point. He's 23 now, imagine if was in a better offense (more RZ chances) or had a better QB. He is probably going to get better also, not many of the "elite" have that much room to keep growing

[dynastyninja]

Maybe/Probably

[Phaded]

Yes. I traded Alshon for Hopkins and a 1 in a rebuild and was laughed at before the season...

That was a great trade for you - but Alshon is vastly overrated.

[FantasyFreak]

You post this when there is already a multi-page topic about Hopkins right below this..

Just saying..

No problem. I have extra leniency for a fellow Raider fan.

[FantasyFreak]

You post this when there is already a multi-page topic about Hopkins right below this..

Just saying..

I think he asked this SPECIFIC QUESTION for a reason, not to debate other things.

Yes, I think is at this point. He's 23 now, imagine if was in a better offense (more RZ chances) or had a better QB. He is probably going to get better also, not many of the "elite" have that much room to keep growing

Yes. I did. I was not on board at first, but I can't argue what I see and what he is doing any longer.

[Phaded]

You post this when there is already a multi-page topic about Hopkins right below this..

Just saying..

No problem. I have extra leniency for a fellow Raider fan.

Anyhow, to answer your question - depending on league format (assuming not Superflex or anything)I would probably take him by the mid-to-late 2nd in a 12-team PPR league (so 18-24 I guess). Any later than that would be great value.

[Needalife]

I don't see it. He is hot right now but it feels very volume dependent and just doesn't pass the eye test for me in terms of elite. He carved up the pathetic Colts tonight but I think he fits more as a high-end 2nd tier guy. I'm not yet putting him with Julio, Antonio, DT, AJG, and... dare I say... OBJ (awaits backlash... LOL).

He's definitely climbing that 2nd tier quickly though. His QB situation sucks but it is offset by garbage time playing from behind every week. I still like Cobb more but he's right there if not better than Alshon.

[balaberda]

He is great but these targets are not sustainable. And yes you do have to factor that in long term.

[guyatwork37]

He's been an elite talent. People are just finally coming around to saying it. He's just not 6'4" so people are hesitant to label as such.

[snitchinsider]

Yes. His targets don't need to be sustainable for him to still be producing "elite" numbers. Nothing wrong with 70-100 yards and a TD here and there. Not everything needs to be 150 yard monsters. A few big games along with relative consistency is usually key for an elite season.

Great collegiate production when he was the guy while Watkins was hurt: Check
Taken in the first round in NFL draft: Check
Great rookie NFL season: Check
Great sophomore season despite being the #2 target on the team: Check
Dominating the stats sheet as the #1 target on the offense in his third season: Check
Great, reliable hands: Check
Redzone skills: Check

Still young: Check

Safe, elite asset that will probably wobble a little as the season goes on inevitably from QB play, but is a reliable investment long-term. Volume dependent right now, but has shown up well each of his first two NFL seasons without that volume. Worth the price of a #1 WR, even if he doesn't necessarily crack the Top 5 by season's end.

[1standgoal]

Call him what you want. Whatever he is I'm going to continue Plugging him into my lineup. IMO He's a must start on any team.
^"#4 receiver in my league"

[Dynasty DeLorean]

I was a little down on him last year because he's not an electric player with big td upside. But so far that hasn't mattered much with the sheer number of targets he's been getting. Of course we all expect a regression in that area to some extent, but he certainly seems like he'll be a very reliable WR for years to come with Antonio Brown like upside.