Hopkins recorded seven catches for 109 yards during the 2022-23 season.
Analysis: Hopkins missed three games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, but was on the field for all 14 of the Rams' remaining games, operating as the No. 2 tight end behind Tyler Higbee after Kendall Blanton was released. As injuries piled up for the Rams, Hopkins saw his role increase as the season progressed, and he notched a career-high 57 receiving yards in Week 16's contest against the Broncos. The 2020 fourth-round pick will enter the final season of his rookie deal looking to continue carving out a role similar to what he saw in the latter half of the 2022 season while firmly entrenched behind the veteran Higbee.
Jan 12, 2023 5:00 PM EST
Hopkins caught his only target for 21 yards during Sunday's 31-10 loss to the Chargers.
Analysis: Hopkins did the most with his only opportunity of the game, laying out for a Baker Mayfield pass off play-action and turning it into a big gain. Hopkins was on the field for 19 snaps on offense, and while the stat line may look innocuous, Mayfield only completed 11 passes on the day, and five of those were to his tight ends. The Rams close their season with an away game against the Seahawks in Week 18, and Hopkins should continue to get an extended look in the offense.
Jan 2, 2023 10:55 AM EST
Hopkins secured all three of his targets for 57 yards during Sunday's 51-14 victory against the Broncos.
Analysis: Hopkins saw a significant jump in playing time in Week 16, with his 38 snaps by far a season high, and he responded with the best performance of his young career. In the first quarter, he snagged a 22-yard pass from Baker Mayfield to help set up the first of Tyler Higbee's two touchdowns, and he added receptions of 16 and 19 yards in the second and third quarters, respectively. Mayfield fed his tight ends often, with a combined 12-151-2 line versus the rest of the team's 12-79-0 line, and while Hopkins will still be an unreliable fantasy target in the short term, this performance against a normally rock-solid Broncos' defense is a good indicator of what Hopkins can do when given an opportunity.
Dec 26, 2022 8:16 AM EST
Hopkins caught his only target for eight yards during Thursday's 17-16 win against the Raiders.
Analysis: Hopkins has saw his playing time steadily decrease since peaking during Week 12's game against the Chiefs, and he only took the field for four snaps on Thursday compared to Tyler Higbee's 61, suggesting that Higbee has fully recovered from a mild knee issue that he suffered a few weeks ago. Hopkins will likely continue to be used sparingly at best barring another injury to Higbee.
Dec 9, 2022 10:37 AM EST
Hopkins reeled in one of his two targets for an 11-yard gain in Sunday's 27-17 loss to the Cardinals.
Analysis: Suiting up for the fourth contest in a row after serving a three-game suspension earlier in the season, Hopkins once again served as the primary backup to Tyler Higbee. Hopkins narrowly cleared 20 percent of the Rams' offensive snaps for the second straight game, and he could have a path to seeing a slight uptick in playing time moving forward even while Higbee remains healthy. With star wideout Cooper Kupp (ankle) undergoing surgery Wednesday and set to miss at least four games, the Rams will need to turn to a collection of players to replace his 10.8 targets per game. While some of that volume will be diverted to the run game, the Rams could explore using more two tight-end sets featuring both Higbee and Hopkins, the latter of whom was a standout pass catcher during his college days at Purdue.
Nov 15, 2022 10:00 AM EST
Hopkins' three-game suspension for a violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy was lifted Monday, per the league's transaction log.
Analysis: Now that he's back on the Rams' active roster, Hopkins likely will slot in as the team's No. 2 tight end behind Tyler Higbee in front of Kendall Blanton. In two games this season, Hopkins didn't receive a target while playing eight snaps on offense and six more on special teams.
Oct 10, 2022 5:22 PM EST
Hopkins received a three-game suspension Wednesday for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Despite being active for both of the Rams' games this season, he's been blanked in the box score while earning eight snaps on offense and six more on special teams. His next chance to log his second catch as a pro won't come until Sunday, Oct. 16 against the Panthers. In the meantime, Tyler Higbee will continue to dominate TE reps for L.A., while Roger Carter and Jared Pinkney are candidates to be elevated from the practice squad.
Sep 21, 2022 2:03 PM EST
Hopkins caught all six of his targets for 41 yards in Friday's 24-20 loss to the Texans.
Analysis: Hopkins operated as a safety valve for quarterback John Wolford during a first half that saw Wolford under constant pressure, and he came through with a perfect six-for-six catch rate. The second half saw Bryce Perkins only target Hopkins once on a play that was called back due to penalty, but Hopkins easily outpaced fellow tight ends Kendall Blanton and Roger Carter, who combined for two catches and 28 receiving yards in the loss. With one preseason game against the Bengals next Saturday remaining, Hopkins may have leapt Blanton and become the favorite to be the backup to starter Tyler Higbee with Friday's performance.
Aug 20, 2022 9:23 AM EST
Hopkins caught one of two passes for nine yards in Saturday's 29-22 win over the Chargers.
Analysis: Fellow backup tight end Kendall Blanton was on the field as well, but only Hopkins was targeted by Bryce Perkins, and he was able to snag one of the two for a nine-yard gain during the Rams' first touchdown drive of the game. With Tyler Higbee being eased back in to action after recovering from an MCL injury suffered in the NFC Championship Game last season, expect to see plenty of both Hopkins and Blanton during Friday's second preseason game against the Texans.
Aug 14, 2022 9:21 AM EST
Hopkins is listed as the third-string tight end on the Rams' first unofficial depth chart, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
Analysis: Hopkins had a breakout performance in Super Bowl LVI, notching 47 yards on four receptions after garnering just a single catch through the first twelve games of his career. Despite ending his year on a positive note, the return of Tyler Higbee combined with Kendall Blanton's presence relegates Hopkins back to a tertiary role going into his third year with the Rams, albeit with evidence that he can produce if thrust into a starting role.
Aug 12, 2022 3:21 PM EST
Hopkins hauled in all four of his targets for 47 yards Sunday in the Rams' 23-20 win over the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.
Analysis: After drawing only one target in total over the first 12 regular-season and playoff appearances of his career, Hopkins saw a surprising amount of involvement on the biggest stage. With Tyler Higbee (knee) placed on injured reserve in advance of the Super Bowl, Kendall Blanton drew the start at tight end, but it was Hopkins who operated as the top pass-catching option at the position. He ended up out-snapping Blanton, 39-30, and had a key third-down reception with just over four minutes remaining on the Rams' game-winning scoring drive. Higbee should be back to full strength for the Rams' offseason program and is under contract through 2023, but Hopkins' Super Bowl performance could be a springboard for him to take on a more enhanced role as Higbee's top backup next season.
Feb 14, 2022 10:03 AM EST
Hopkins caught his lone target for nine yards during Tuesday's 20-10 win over Seattle. He played 22 of 66 offensive snaps.
Analysis: With this being Hopkins' first career reception, it's unlikely it made a fantasy ripple. He's only played 55 offensive snaps this season, after all. Additionally, with Tyler Higbee potentially returning from the reserve/COVID-19 list next week, it's likely Hopkins reassumes a tertiary role in the offense.
Dec 22, 2021 9:09 AM EST
Hopkins was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday.
Analysis: Hopkins hit the list on Tuesday but was eligible for a quick return because he had been vaccinated. With Tyler Higbee still on the COVID list, the Purdue product should be the Rams' no. 2 tight end Sunday against Seattle behind Kendall Blanton.
Dec 18, 2021 4:40 PM EST
Hopkins was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.
Analysis: The tight end will enter the league's COVID-19 protocols, but since he's vaccinated, he only needs two negative tests this week to be active Sunday against the Seahawks. Hopkins has appeared in three straight games for the Rams, logging 33 offensive snaps without a target.
Dec 14, 2021 2:49 PM EST
Hopkins (illness) was able to practice in full Thursday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Hopkins got in a full practice Thursday after missing practice on Wednesday. Hopkins, a converted wide receiver from Purdue, was expected to step into a bigger role in 2021 with Gerald Everett going to Seattle, but he fell behind 2021 fourth-round selection Jacob Harris on the depth chart. Hopkins played in five games in 2020 but was mostly used on special teams and never saw a target. He'll try to push his way up the depth chart and get a chance to play Sunday against the Titans.
Nov 4, 2021 5:29 PM EST
Hopkins (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 2 contest against the Colts, Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: Hopkins has slipped down the tight end depth chart behind Tyler Higbee, Johnny Mundt and Jacob Harris. As a result, It may take an injury for him to see game action in immediately upcoming contests.
Sep 19, 2021 9:11 AM EST
Hopkins could compete for offensive snaps following the selection of Jacob Harris in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: While Harris was a wide receiver in college, he spent his time during the pre-draft process with tight ends coach Wes Phillips, and he's expected to be a lock to play special teams. Hopkins was limited to a development role and received just two offensive snaps last season, but tight end Gerald Everett is out of the picture after signing with the Seahawks during free agency, so there should be opportunities for Hopkins to take a step forward in Year 2.
May 4, 2021 3:42 PM EST
Hopkins suited up for five games but played just two offensive snaps during the 2020 regular season.
Analysis: The fourth-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft owns the athleticism to take a step forward next season, and he could have more of an opportunity with fellow tight ends Gerald Everett and Johnny Mundt both set for free agency. Still, it's rare for a second-year tight end to leap right into fantasy relevance, and Tyler Higbee is still the No. 1 option at the position. It's likely best to take a wait-and-see approach with Hopkins until the dust settles following the draft and free agency.
Jan 29, 2021 4:48 PM EST
Hopkins is a healthy scratch for Sunday's game against Philadelphia, Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: The 2020 fourth-round pick failed to suit up in last week's primetime win over Dallas, and he'll have to wait another week to make his NFL debut. With Hopkins sidelined, Johnny Mundt will handle the depth tight end snaps for Week 2.
Sep 20, 2020 9:15 AM EST
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