It’s only taken two games and four catches, but Baltimore Ravens franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson is already convinced veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is anything but “washed.”
Hopkins added two more contested-catch masterpieces to his glittering career CV when the Ravens beat AFC North rivals the Cleveland Browns 41-17 at M&T Bank Stadium in Week 2. One of those catches tallied the five-time Pro Bowler’s second touchdown in a Ravens uniform.
Coming after a remarkable catch against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, Hopkins’ latest grabs confirmed his status as a transformational weapon in this offense. Jackson, who threw four touchdown passes, wants people to acknowledge the wideout’s enduring brilliance.
The Ravens‘ QB1 told reporters after the game on Sunday, September 14, including The Baltimore Banner’s Jonas Shaffer, “People called him ‘washed,’ but he showed ’em otherwise.
Jackson wasn’t the only prominent player for the Ravens who had a message for Hopkins’ critics.
Lamar Jackson Already In MVP Form for Ravens
He’s a two-time NFL MVP, and if Jackson wins a third award, he’ll have Hopkins to thank. The 33-year-old is the most dynamic receiver Jackson has ever worked with, somebody No. 8 can trust to go up and get the ball and turn broken plays into ad-libbed huge gains.
That’s just what Hopkins did after Jackson scrambled to elude pressure in the third quarter, before he heaved a deep ball in the general area of his big-name pass-catcher. Hopkins came down with the ball, despite tight coverage.
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The 42-yard throw and catch set up a field goal by rookie Tyler Loop, but Hopkins ensured the Ravens went one better with his next special catch. It came with just under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Once again, Hopkins had a defensive back plastered to him but still managed to secure the football.
Plays like these make last season’s top-ranked offense even more dangerous. Jackson finally has a target able to match his own flair for highlight reel-worthy moments.
Hopkins’ latest moments are not only helping Jackson play at an MVP level. They are also inspiring other key members of the Ravens‘ receiver corps.
DeAndre Hopkins Inspiring Ravens Receivers
The way Hopkins is defying his critics is setting the right example for every wideout on the depth chart. Including leading receiver Zay Flowers, who also had some choice words for those who doubted Hopkins.
As Flowers put it, “People say he’s washed. That man look like he’s just getting started,” per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.
It’s an ominous warning based on how Hopkins has provided some extra oomph to a passing game already getting better every year. Flowers is benefitting from the threat Hopkins poses after adding seven receptions against the Browns.
While Flowers is rapidly becoming Jackson’s go-to target, second-year pro Devontez Walker snagged a pair of touchdown catches. Young receivers like Walker and Flowers can’t help but learn from Hopkins’ experience and technique, especially when Jackson is playing at this high a level.
Jackson’s sharing the passes among a burgeoning group, but it’s Hopkins who’s delivering the big plays and making everybody around him better.
Lamar Jackson Makes Statement About Ravens WR DeAndre Hopkins