Hopkins: Titans have 'one of the best' WR groups I've played with
Star wideout DeAndre Hopkins is excited about the Tennessee Titans receiving group's potential ahead of the upcoming campaign.
"I think this is one of the best wide receiver groups I've had the chance to play with on paper," Hopkins said earlier this week, according to team reporter Jim Wyatt. "Obviously, I could come up here and say a bunch, but we haven't played a game yet. So, we'll see how it goes once we hit the field.”
The Titans have made several changes to the roster this offseason, most notably at receiver. Tennessee signed free agents Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd to help an offensive unit that finished 27th in the league with a 17.9 points per game average.
Hopkins is excited about the influx of talent at his position and is using the additions as further motivation ahead of his second campaign with the Titans.
"I am always competing. Any time we get anyone who is a No.1 receiver, my mindset is to go out and outcompete them, outdo them. I've always had that mindset, Kobe Bryant being my favorite athlete of all time.
"Any time I get a chance to compete against anyone I am trying to outcompete them, trying to outdo them. And that's only going to make the team better."
Hopkins led Tennessee in every statistical category in 2023 with 75 catches for 1,057 yards, and seven touchdowns. He's expected to lead a revamped group that also includes Treylon Burks, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo.
The five-time Pro Bowler is second among active receivers with 12,355 career yards to go along with 928 catches and 78 TDs.
The Titans' changes weren't just limited to the roster. Mike Vrabel was dismissed after six seasons and replaced by Brian Callahan, while Nick Holz will take over as offensive coordinator ahead of the 2024 campaign.
Tennessee finished last in the AFC South last season with a 6-11 record.