It has been an excellent start to the season in Arizona for DeAndre Hopkins and those in fantasy football leagues that have him rostered. Amongst the wide receiver position, Hopkins ranks behind just Calvin Ridley when it comes to PPR fantasy points and sits 13th overall among offensive players in 2020. However, Hopkins is listed as questionable heading into the Week 7 Sunday Night Football matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, causing some additional stress for any fantasy managers with the Cardinals wide receiver on their roster. Let’s examine whether you should feel safe starting DeAndre Hopkins in fantasy this week, as well as break down some potential replacements, Cardinals wide receivers or not, that you can pivot to if the injury does lead to him missing time.
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DeAndre Hopkins has been superb so far this season for fantasy owners
There was some talk entering 2020 that DeAndre Hopkins could be a risky fantasy option in a new offense. However, the Cardinals have done a great job ensuring their wide receiver has not missed a beat this season. Hopkins ranks third at the position in targets (61), and that has translated to leading the position in receptions (47), yards (601), yards per game (100.2), and first downs (31). The only area that Hopkins has been slightly disappointing is in his touchdown return, with just two through his first six games.
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However, what is promising for Hopkins, is that even with his struggles in finding the end zone, he has 119.1 PPR fantasy points, putting him on pace for over 300 this season. Two of the three previous years he topped 300 fantasy points, he returned double-digit touchdowns on the season. These numbers tell you that if the touchdowns regress to his rate of 0.67 per game that they have been in the last three seasons, admittedly in a different system, then we could be looking at Hopkins setting a new career-high for fantasy points.
How consistent has DeAndre Hopkins been in 2020?
In 2020, Hopkins has not only been a fantasy star in terms of points scored, but he has also been consistent. This season, he has a Consistency Score of 5.41, placing him 12th at the position. If we see those touchdowns improve a little bit, then that score could increase further. However, the already impressive score indicates just how well Hopkins is performing and how much the Cardinals are looking in his direction.
Can we trust DeAndre Hopkins in Week 7 with his injury?
This injury is not new for DeAndre Hopkins. He has been struggling with it over the last few weeks and has still been on the field. Therefore, expectations are that he will play in Week 7. The injury does not appear to be hampering Hopkins too much, as he has over 200 yards and a touchdown on 15 targets in the last two weeks. However, Week 6 did see Hopkins manage just two receptions from his eight targets, which could indicate potential concerns heading into Week 7.
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In terms of his matchup this week, Pro Football Network’s Defensive Points Allowed Consistency Score suggests this is the best possible opportunity for DeAndre Hopkins and his fantasy value. The Seahawks have the highest consistency score of any defense against wide receivers, with a higher number indicating a better match up for a receiver.
Additionally, they have allowed more fantasy points to the position than any other team by quite a wide margin. The only caveat to that is that last week was a matchup against the team that currently ranks fourth in consistency score against wide receivers and sixth in points allowed, in the Dallas Cowboys, and he somewhat struggled.
Who are potential pivot options if the Cardinals wide receiver misses the game?
The expectation is that DeAndre Hopkins will suit up for the Cardinals in Week 7, but if he does not, you may need to have an option to pivot to, whether that be a couple of spare wide receivers or players of other positions. With the Cardinals now playing on Sunday Night Football, the potential is that you will have a limited pool of wide receivers to turn to if he is inactive. If you can add a receiver in advance this morning, then great, but let’s investigate who might be available in the Sunday and Monday Night Football games this week.
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals (33% rostered at FleaFlicker)
Fellow Cardinals player Larry Fitzgerald is, in some ways, the option among wide receivers that makes the most sense. He is available in two-thirds of leagues, has seen three or more targets in every game this season, and should see a boost if Hopkins is inactive. There is a more than limited upside, with Fitzgerald having yet to catch a touchdown and has scored double-digit fantasy points just once this season.
Van Jefferson, Los Angeles Rams (22%)
Jefferson has struggled for opportunities this season. He has not seen over 30% of the offensive snaps since Week 2 and has just three targets in the last four games. The only reason he has a roster percentage over 20 is likely because of dynasty leagues.
Andy Isabella, Arizona Cardinals (21%)
Isabella is arguably the biggest boom or bust player on this list. The Cardinals’ second-year talent made a significant impact in Week 2, catching two touchdowns on four targets in the absence of Christian Kirk. Isabella figures to be the player that will see the most significant opportunity bump in the absence of Hopkins. He will also benefit from the same soft matchup that makes the other prominent Cardinals wide receivers reliable options this week.
Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears (19%)
If you want a floor play, then Mooney is perhaps it. 30 targets through six games and 19 in the last three games suggest he is getting opportunities. His fantasy returns have not been incredible, but if you want a good chance at five to 10 points this week, Mooney could be the best option.
David Moore, Seattle Seahawks (16%)
Moore is another boom or bust option, having struggled in three games and returned double-digit returns in the other two he has played. He was inactive last week, but all indications are that he should be active this week. If Isabella is not available, this is the player that projects to have one of the highest ceilings but also has a very low floor.
Josh Reynolds, Los Angeles Rams (14%)
Reynolds’ opportunities have grown in the last four weeks. He has 18 targets in those four games, which he has turned into 11 receptions, 176 yards, and a touchdown in Week 6. He has one of the highest upsides, and recent weeks have shown his floor to be around the five-point region. Available in over 85% of leagues means that Reynolds is an option you should feel confident being able to pivot too late on Sunday if DeAndre Hopkins is ruled out through injury.
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