Update: Houston Texans select DeAndre Hopkins with 27th overall pick
Pro: No wide receiver in the 2013 NFL Draft had a more dominant final season than DeAndre Hopkins. The Clemson product ran up 1405 yards while hauling in a ridiculous 18 touchdowns. Perhaps more impressive, Hopkins averaged over 17 yards per reception. He's a big play receiver in the mold of Roddy White. Hopkins can overpower defenders with his strength and out-execute coverage with excellent route running. Unlike more decorated prospects like Cordarrelle Patterson, Hopkins will be able to contribute immediately.
Con: Hopkins' main flaw is a lack of breakaway speed. He'll also drop passes he shouldn't. The past two seasons, Hopkins didn't have to be the main man at Clemson as Sammy Watkins took the majority of the double coverages. Hopkins was allegedly one of the parties involved with the trashed hotel story at the NFL Combine.
Verdict: Wide receiver isn't a pressing need for the Green Bay Packers. However, on more than one occasion Ted Thompson has drafted a receiver a year before he's needed (Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb). If James Jones leaves in free agency after 2013, having Hopkins already in the fold would insure a smooth transition. Hopkins has tremendous talent, and would be a value selection at pick 26.
Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Acme Packing Co. He has previously written for Lombardi Ave, College Hoops Net, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is also currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.
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