DeAndre Hopkins (BAL) – 2025 fantasy outlook (concise, actionable)

Outlook at a glance
- Role: Likely Ravens' boundary WR2 with red-zone target potential; may be the third or even second-most targeted pass-catcher behind Mark Andrews, depending on how the offense distributes targets between Hopkins, Flowers, Bateman, and Isaiah Likely.
- Target/volume expectation: Roughly 85–110 targets in 2025; realistic receipts around 50–65 catches; 650–800 receiving yards; 5–7 TDs. Ceiling 100–110 targets, 60–75 receptions, 800–950 yards, 7–9 TDs if workload and red-zone opportunities spike and health cooperates.
- Efficiency vs. volume: Historically efficient per target; still capable of red-zone and contested catches, but age-related decline may dampen burst and long-speed; good per-route efficiency (see First Downs Per Route Run context) even if volume isn’t elite.
- Age/decline risk: Age 33 in 2025 is a real factor; expect some drop from peak years, especially in big-play plays. Still competes as a polished route-runner and red-zone weapon.

Sentiment & narrative from the Reddit/FFHound discussions
- Hopkins as a legitimate red-zone/ boundary option: FF Hound notes Hopkins on the boundary and as a potential preferred red-zone target, which could siphon TDs away from Mark Andrews.
- Impact on Ravens core: Several posts indicate Hopkins will be a significant contributor but not at the expense of every other weapon; the group will share targets (Andrews, Flowers, Bateman, Likely). One sleeper/bust piece explicitly casts Flowers as a potential bust due to Ravens’ pass distribution, suggesting Hopkins could temper Flowers’ volume.
- Allocation vs. Flowers: The Flowers-focused threads imply Hopkins presence could cap Flowers’ ceiling and shift some scoring opportunities to Hopkins, especially in the red zone.
- Age-elites warning: An “Age Elite WRs Fall Off” post flags Hopkins as a potential decline candidate; manage expectations accordingly.
- Camp/health signals: Training camp notes indicate Hopkins is practicing with no major issues; minor bumps for Flowers and Burden noted, but Hopkins’ health is not flagged as a concern here.

Key discussion points to act on
- Red-zone target share: Hopkins’ perceived red-zone role could blunt Andrews’ TD upside in some weeks; plan accordingly in lineups and DFS where pairing Hopkins with Andrews could yield mixed weeks but occasional spike TD games.
- Volume tipping points: If Ravens lean more pass-heavy (or Lamar has a hot stretch), Hopkins could realistically push into the 90–110 target band; in a run-first projection, he may settle on the lower end.
- Flowers’ ceiling vs Hopkins’ floor: Expect Flowers to remain a high-volume player, but Hopkins can cap Flowers’ ceiling in some games; this matters for weekly flex/WR2 decisions.
- Health/age asymmetry: Monitor Hopkins’ durability and any recurring knee issues; any downtick in yards per target or an injury history spike would push him toward a higher-risk, mid-WR3 floor.
- Opponent matchups: Hopkins benefits in pass-friendly or secondary-target-heavy weeks; avoid overly tough matchup weeks for Ravens’ passing game unless you chase upside.

Concrete, actionable draft/roster guidance
- Redraft target: Consider Hopkins as a late-round addition with weekly upside, effectively a high-floor WR3 with weekly flex appeal in favorable matchups; don’t chase him as a WR2 unless you’re very thin at WR.
- Best-case pairing: Hopkins + Andrews can coexist as weekly ceiling spikes when the Baltimore offense clicks; this pairing can yield weeks where Hopkins’ TD upside shines (especially in red-zone drives).
- Worst-case scenario: If Hopkins shows signs of age regression or the Ravens commit to Flowers as a more consistent top target, Hopkins could drift to low-end WR3/bench play with limited weekly upside.
- DFS/weekly bets: Look for Hopkins in red-zone-friendly matchups or games where Ravens are implied to throw more. Use him as a streamer in favorable stacks with Lamar, but avoid chasing him in very run-heavy, efficiency-challenged games.
- Roster strategy tip: If you already drafted Andrews, view Hopkins as a back-end stacking option or a weekly flex in specific matchups. If you did not draft Andrews, Hopkins is riskier as a standalone target in use-case terms.

Bottom line
- Hopkins is a realistic, not flashy, component of Baltimore’s 2025 passing attack. He offers red-zone value and boundary alignment, with the potential to anchor a weekly floor in the right matchups. Expect moderate target volume with TD upside, tempered by age and the presence of multiple pass-catching options. If you’re contending, he’s a back-half WR3 with upside in certain weeks; if you’re rebuilding, he’s risky as a longer-term bet but could provide surprise weeks if the offense clicks.