Texans WR Hopkins named to AP’s All-Pro team
No teammates, including Clowney, join WR on the list
Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins made the NFL’s official All-Pro Team for the second time in his five-year career. Hopkins and Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown were first-team receivers in voting announced Friday by the Associated Press.
Hopkins, who previously was selected as a starter in the Pro Bowl, was voted to the first team for the first time, joining Andre Johnson as the only Texans receivers to earn that distinction.
“This is a personal goal I’ve had since I’ve been in the NFL,” Hopkins said. “It’s an accomplishment I’ve been striving for.
“It’s great to be in the Pro
Bowl, but once you’re considered first-team All-Pro, it goes a long way.”
Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, the Texans’ best defensive player once J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus were lost to season-ending injuries, failed to make the All-Pro team this season.
A 50-person panel made up of long-time NFL reporters, former players and personnel executives voted for the Associated Press.
“This is motivation for me to stay at the top of my game,” Hopkins said. “This is motivation to keep working harder and not just be the No. 1 or No. 2 receiver for one year of my career.”
In his fifth season, Hopkins caught 96 passes for 1,378 yards (14.4-yard average) and a leaguebest 13 touchdowns. What made Hopkins’ season even more impressive was that he caught passes from three quarterbacks — Deshaun Watson, Tom Savage and T.J. Yates.
“I’m very thankful,” Hopkins said. “I want to thank my quarterbacks for trusting in me and helping me get that accomplishment.
“I want more. That’s the way I play this game. When your teammates see you want more, they want more. They strive to become better, too, and expect more from themselves.
“If I hold myself to a higher caliber and not be satisfied with my accomplishments, I feel like my teammates will, too.”
Hopkins, who was voted to the All-Pro second team in 2015, missed the last game of 2017 against Indianapolis because of an injury — the first time he has missed a start.
Not only did he lead the league in touchdown catches, but he finished sixth in receptions, fourth in yards, fourth in first-down catches (69), first in catches of at least 25 yards (17) and third in 100-yard games (five).
Hopkins caught at least one touchdown in a league-high 10 games and was second with six scoring receptions of at least 20 yards. He also led the NFL with nine games of seven or more catches.
Like Hopkins, Clowney was voted as a starter in the Pro Bowl, but he was left off the All-Pro team. Clowney was voted to the second team last year and finished this season with a careerhigh 9½ sacks to go with 21 quarterback hits, 21 tackles for loss and 59 tackles.