For the first time since they selected Andre Johnson in 2003, the Texans used a first-round pick on a wide receiver, taking Clemson's DeAndre Hopkins 27th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft. And now they've reportedly agreed to terms with the wideout.
According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans and Hopkins agreed to a four-year contract worth $7.62 million with a $3.92 million signing bonus.
Hopkins is a potential immediate-impact player for the Texans, what with their incredibly thin depth chart at wideout; Kevin Walter was sent packing this offseason, leaving little to no reason for opposing defenses to focus on anyone but Johnson. Hopkins, a smooth route runner with good hands, should improve the Texans' red zone attack and keep defenses from keying on Johnson as much.
There's a reason he was my fourth-rated offensive impact rookie a few months ago.
But wait, there's more! McClain also reported Monday that the Texans locked up second-round pick D.J. Swearinger and third-round pick Brennan Williams.
Swearinger won't likely be asked to start right away unless something happens to veteran safety Ed Reed, but that also means he's a potential impact bench player. It wouldn't be that stunning to see Williams crack the starting lineup in the early going however, and he can provide much-needed improvement on the right side of Houston's line.
Though the Texans haven't made anything official with their last three rookies, once they do, they'll have finalized signing this rookie class.
