Ask any Houston Texans fan about the post-Andre Johnson era, and they’ll tell you there was a massive, gaping hole in the roster that felt impossible to fill. Then came 2013. If you're wondering when was DeAndre Hopkins drafted, the answer is April 25, 2013. It was a Thursday night at Radio City Music Hall, a night that basically reset the trajectory of the Texans' offense for the next seven years.
He didn't go in the top five. He didn't even go in the top twenty. Hopkins sat there waiting until the 27th overall pick in the first round before the Texans finally pulled the trigger. Honestly, looking back at that draft class now, it’s wild to think he lasted that long. The guy has 1,006 career receptions as of early 2026, and yet, back then, people were worried about his "timed speed."
The Night the Texans Found "Nuk"
The 2013 NFL Draft was a weird one. Usually, teams are fighting over quarterbacks, but that year was famously thin at the signal-caller position. This allowed a lot of "skill players" to slide. When the Texans were on the clock at No. 27, they had a very specific mission: find someone who could keep the pressure off the legendary Andre Johnson.
Johnson was 31 at the time. He needed help.
The Texans hadn't taken a wide receiver in the first round since they drafted Andre himself back in 2003. Ten years. That's a long time to wait to give your franchise QB a legitimate second weapon. Hopkins was the second receiver taken in that draft, trailing only Tavon Austin, who went 8th overall to the Rams. While Austin was the "explosive" gadget guy everyone was obsessed with, Hopkins was the technician.
He came out of Clemson as a junior. He was only 20 years old, turning 21 just a couple of months after the draft. At the Combine, he ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash. In NFL scout-speak, that’s "fine," but it isn't "elite." That’s probably why he fell to 27. But teams missed the fact that his hands were basically made of industrial-grade glue.
Why the 27th Pick Was a Steal
You’ve gotta look at who went before him to really appreciate the value here.
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- Eric Fisher (OT)
- Luke Joeckel (OT)
- Dion Jordan (DE)
- Lane Johnson (OT)
- Ezekiel Ansah (DE)
The top of the draft was dominated by linemen. By the time it got to the late 20s, the Texans saw a guy with 3,020 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns at Clemson. Rick Smith, the Texans' GM at the time, later said they loved his "competitive" nature. He wasn't just catching balls; he was "rebounding" them like a basketball player.
The College Dominance at Clemson
Before he was a Pro Bowler, he was a Tiger. Hopkins was a multi-sport athlete—he actually played a bit of basketball at Clemson too—and you could see that in the way he used his body to shield defenders.
In his final year at Clemson (2012), he put up numbers that look like a video game. 82 catches. 1,405 yards. 18 touchdowns. That 18-TD mark was an ACC record at the time. He had this specific knack for the "clutch" catch. If it was 3rd and long and the game was on the line, everyone in the stadium knew the ball was going to No. 6, and he still caught it anyway.
Despite those stats, some draft "experts" (we all know how that goes) were worried he wouldn't be able to separate from NFL cornerbacks. They thought he was a "possession receiver."
They were wrong.
Breaking Down the 2013 Draft Stats
If you're a numbers person, here is the raw data from that 2013 selection:
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- Draft Date: April 25, 2013
- Pick Number: 27th Overall
- Round: 1st
- Team: Houston Texans
- Contract: 4 years, $7.62 million (with a $3.9 million signing bonus)
Hopkins was a day-one starter. He didn't need a "redshirt" year or time to "adjust to the speed of the game." In his first-ever NFL game against the San Diego Chargers, he caught five passes for 55 yards. By Week 2, he had his first 100-yard game and a game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Titans.
The transition was basically seamless.
A Career of Moving Around
While we always associate him with those deep blue Texans jerseys, Hopkins has become a bit of a journeyman in the latter half of his career.
After seven years in Houston, he was famously (and controversially) traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2020. Then came a stint with the Tennessee Titans starting in 2023. By late 2024, he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, helping them secure yet another Super Bowl ring (LIX). Now, as we sit in 2026, he’s suiting up for the Baltimore Ravens.
It’s rare to see a guy maintain this level of production through so many different systems and quarterbacks. He’s caught passes from Matt Schaub, Case Keenum, Brock Osweiler (yikes), Deshaun Watson, Kyler Murray, and Patrick Mahomes.
What Most People Forget
People often forget that Hopkins wasn't even the "consensus" best receiver in that 2013 class according to many mock drafts. Some had Keenan Allen higher (who went in the 3rd round due to injury concerns). Others were high on Cordarrelle Patterson.
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But Hopkins had the "X-factor"—those 10-inch hands.
He has always played "bigger" than his 6'1" frame. It’s why he’s a five-time All-Pro. He doesn't rely on pure speed; he relies on body positioning and an insane catch radius. If the ball is anywhere near him, it’s his.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you’re looking into Hopkins’ history because you’re a card collector or a dynasty fantasy football manager, here is the "so what":
- Rookie Cards: His most valuable cards are obviously from 2013. Look for the "Panini Prizm" or "National Treasures" rookie autographs. Because he was the 27th pick and not a top-five "hype" player, his early cards were actually quite affordable for a long time.
- Career Longevity: As of 2026, he has crossed the 13,000-yard mark. He is a lock for the Hall of Fame. If you’re betting on his "legacy" stats, he’s currently chasing the top 10 all-time in receiving yards.
- Impact Scouting: The "Hopkins Lesson" for NFL scouts is to value hand size and contested-catch ability over 40-yard dash times. Every year, a "slow" receiver with great hands falls in the draft, and every year, teams regret passing on them.
The story of when DeAndre Hopkins was drafted is really a story about the Texans finally getting it right. They needed a star, and they found one at the tail end of the first round. He’s gone from a "possession receiver" prospect to a legitimate legend of the game.
To truly understand his impact, you should look up his 2012 highlights at Clemson and then compare them to his "Hail Murray" catch in Arizona. The technique is identical. He’s been the same player since that Thursday night in 2013—relentless, sure-handed, and perpetually underrated by the clock.