Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins began declining two years ago after about a decade of mostly WR1 fantasy football value. Now 33 years old, is there anything the once elite wide receiver can provide fantasy managers as a member of the Ravens?
DeAndre Hopkins Fantasy Outlook
Since breaking out in 2014, Hopkins has six WR1 finishes and three seasons with over 20 fantasy points per game. He’s one of the best wide receivers of the past decade and, in my mind, a surefire Hall of Famer. But Father Time comes for us all.
At this point in his career, Hopkins understands he’s not that guy anymore. He’s not trying to be the 25-30% target share dominant WR1. His decline started in 2023, when he averaged just 13.2 PPG, his lowest finish since his down 2016 year.
Last season, Hopkins was barely being targeted in his second season with the Titans. With Tennessee going nowhere, they traded him to the Chiefs, leading to fantasy managers at least entertaining the idea that he could rebound with Patrick Mahomes. No such thing occurred.
Hopkins was used more with the Chiefs, but not enough to be a relevant fantasy producer. He had a stretch from Weeks 12-14 where he posted between 13.0 and 14.5 fantasy points. Outside of that run, there were only two other weeks the entire season where fantasy managers would’ve been glad to have Hopkins in their lineups.
DeAndre Hopkins has a touchdown in the Super Bowl
📺: #SBLIX on FOX
📱: Tubi + NFL app pic.twitter.com/sb1luajmIu— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2025
Now, Hopkins signed with the Ravens. That smells more like a talented veteran chasing a Super Bowl than a guy looking to recapture his greatness. I surmise Hopkins is there to be a role player and knows that.
Is There Any Fantasy Football Value Left in Hopkins for 2025?
There’s a lot of turnover in the NFL. Teams change quickly. An offense can completely overhaul in just a couple of years. That’s not the case with the Ravens, though.
The addition of Derrick Henry last year helped relieve a lot of pressure on Lamar Jackson, but this team’s overall identity didn’t change.
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The Ravens ran the ball 47% of the time in neutral game script in 2023. That was 50% last year. They’re always near the top of the league in run rate. As a result, even a 20% target share for Bateman would not be the same level of opportunity as the league average.
Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman are back as the top two receivers. Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely will share the TE role. The only main addition was Hopkins, whom I would not expect to play ahead of Bateman.
In the NFL playoffs, the most important games of the year for NFL teams, the Chiefs reduced Hopkins’ playing time even more. He did not reach a 40% snap share in any playoff game. On a Ravens team that used 12 personnel 31% of the time, the fifth-highest rate in the league, it’s hard to imagine Hopkins being a fantasy factor.
Hopkins’ average draft position (ADP) sits at WR58. His name will likely get him drafted in more fantasy leagues than not, but for the first time in his career, he won’t be universally drafted.
I have Hopkins at WR72, well below consensus. Generally, late in fantasy drafts, I’m chasing upside. There’s no upside with Hopkins in the year 2025. As a result, I won’t be drafting him.
Dan Fornek’s DeAndre Hopkins Fantasy Projection
2024 was a tumultuous season for DeAndre Hopkins. The veteran receiver started the season with the Titans but struggled to impact (15 receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown) in an inconsistent passing attack with Will Levis at the helm. A midseason trade to the Chiefs gave fantasy managers hope once again, especially with Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown out with injuries.
Instead, Hopkins struggled to maintain the level of play we expect from him. In 10 games with Kansas City, Hopkins caught 41 of 59 targets for 437 yards and four touchdowns. He was the WR43 during his tenure with the Chiefs, but had two top 20 finishes, including a week in the top 5, when he was with the Chiefs.
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Hopkins wasn’t highly sought after in free agency, but he ultimately landed with Baltimore, a team that could use his contested catch ability in the red zone. A path to fantasy relevance looked like a long shot when he first signed, but the Isaiah Likely injury at least opens a path for him to have touchdown relevance to start the season.
At this point in his career, Hopkins is more of an end-of-the-bench filler than a fantasy lineup staple. However, he could have streaming upside, especially if he can carve out a primary red zone threat role in his new landing spot.
