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Five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins enjoyed a solid first season with the Tennessee Titans, considering the offensive environment he was placed in. Despite Tennessee ranking 28th in total offense (289.0 YPG) and 29th in passing offense (180.4 YPG), the veteran racked up 75 receptions for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns.
While the additions of Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd present extra target competition for Hopkins, he could see more favorable coverages in 2024, and Will Levis will be entering his second year as a starter.
Head coach Brian Callahan will bring a modern offensive approach to Tennessee for what seems like the first time ever, so Hopkins can continue to be productive heading into his 12th NFL campaign. However, Hopkins has been dealing with a knee injury this offseason that has held him out of practice. Will he play in Week 1, and what is his fantasy football outlook? Let's dive in.
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Will DeAndre Hopkins Play In Week 1?
Hopkins (knee) suffered a knee injury at the start of August, and his timeline to return was originally set at four-to-six weeks. In a recent press conference, Callahan said Hopkins is on track to return for the season-opener against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
Brian Callahan said DeAndre Hopkins should be back soon. The #Titans expect to have him back for the season opener.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 18, 2024
The organization is likely to be extra careful with the 32-year-old, so don't be surprised if he is a limited participant in practice leading up to Week 1, and he might even be given a "questionable" tag for the matchup with the reloaded NFC North team.
Last year, the Bears were a middle-of-the-pack team against fantasy wideouts.
DeAndre Hopkins 2024 Fantasy Outlook
Last season, Hopkins ranked 12th in target share (28.6%) and ninth in target rate (27.8%) among all wide receivers. The new pieces on offense suggest those figures will come down, but Tennessee should pass at a higher rate under Callahan versus former head coach Mike Vrabel.
With Callahan as offensive coordinator, the Bengals ranked second in pass rate last season (63.5%) despite Jake Browning filling in at QB for most of the second half of 2024.
Meanwhile, Tennessee was 24th in pass rate (55.7%), which was their highest rate since 2015. The backfield duo of Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears are also best utilized in the passing game, so all signs point toward a major uptick in overall passing attempts.
With Ridley soaking up coverage, Hopkins has a chance to be more efficient in his second season in the Music City, and he should continue to see deep targets for gun-slinger Will Levis. Hopkins is being priced around the WR42 spot in half-PPR formats, so he has nothing but upside at a reduced cost. He may not be a consistent every-week starter, but he will keep his boom-week upside in 2024.
First NFL TD pass for @will_levis and first Titans TD catch for @DeAndreHopkins!
📺: Watch #ATLvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/rya3lHnon2
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) October 29, 2023
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