The Houston Texans have garnered calls to add another playmaker to their wide receiver room, and franchise icon DeAndre Hopkins is once again a name mentioned in connection with filling that presumed void.
Houston boasts solid depth on paper, but they lacked reliable production behind two-time Pro Bowler Nico Collins.
Hopkins’ recent comments about Houston have only served as fuel for the speculation.
Texans Floated as DeAndre Hopkins Landing Spot
GettyDeAndre Hopkins has spoken highly of Houston before amid a new push for a Texans reunion.
The Texans drafted Hopkins 27th overall out of Clemson in 2013, and he spent seven seasons with the club. He earned four of his five Pro Bowls and all three of his First Team All-Pro selections during that span.
Hopkins has spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, and Tennessee Titans, but will always have a place in his heart for his first NFL landing spot.
CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani led with that in arguing for Hopkins’ return to Houston.
“Hopkins has said he still considers Houston home, and I think everyone would love to see him wrap up his career with the team that selected him No. 27 overall back in 2013,” Dajani wrote on May 5. “There’s pressure on quarterback C.J. Stroud to prove he’s worth an extension this year. If he can return to 2023 form and the defense can continue to play like the best in the NFL, the Houston Texans would be a legitimate contender. Adding Hopkins would help in the franchise’s pursuit of their first Super Bowl appearance.”
The Texans have expressed confidence in and support for Stroud. But their decision to pick up his fifth-year option, along with no indications that a long-term extension is in the works, has left the door open for speculation about the QB’s future.
Hopkins, who had 330 yards and 2 touchdowns on 22 receptions for the Ravens last season and turns 34 in June, would add veteran leadership to a fairly young group for the Texans.
Texans Could Get Big Boost From Tank Dell
GettyTank Dells’ anticipated return could be a big boost for the Houston Texans.
The Texans’ need for someone like Watson remains debatable. That is true even with what they got beyond Collins at the wide receiver position.
Houston went the entire 2025 season without 2023 third-round pick Tank Dell.
Dell was part of the same draft class as Stroud. He was also one of the QB’s most-trusted targets before his injury. He is expected to return in 2026. Whether Dell can return to his pre-injury form, or at least something close, remains an unknown at this point.
Dell is also a different kind of receiver than Hopkins. That reality could be exacerbated if the former is not as explosive as he was before his latest injury.
To his credit, Hopkins has missed one regular-season contest over the past three seasons.
That was following his trade to the Chiefs, where he missed the regular-season finale in preparation for the postseason. He could bolster a group that includes recent draft picks Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, and Xavier Hutchinson, and veteran Justin Watson behind Collins.
Ex-Texans WR Stefon Diggs Gets Good News
GettyStefon Diggs got good news in his legal matter.
The Texans have other external options besides Hopkins, including ones they are familiar with, like Stefon Diggs.
Digg’s lone season in Houston was cut short by a serious knee injury.
He returned to post an 85-1,013-4 line with the New England Patriots last season. That includes four receptions for 40 yards and 1 TD against the Texans in the AFC Divisional Playoffs en route to a Super Bowl berth.
Diggs was also found not guilty on Tuesday in his assault case stemming from accusations that he choked his personal chef.
Diggs had 47-496-3 in eight games with the Texans before his injury.
The 2026 season figures to be critical for Stroud without a long-term deal in place. Giving him as much support as possible has to be a priority for the Texans. Adding someone like Hopkins or Diggs would be a step towards that.
Texans Pushed to Add 5-Time Pro Bowl Playmaker After Strong Comments