DeAndre Hopkins career timeline: How Ravens WR went from Texans star to Lamar Jackson's new weapon

There weren't many NFL wide receivers in the 2010s who were more dominant than DeAndre Hopkins.

"D-Hop" wasn't always the biggest star out there, as compared to names like Calvin Johnson, Antonio Brown or Julio Jones, but he was undoubtedly one of the elite weapons of that decade. Flash forward to 2025, and Hopkins is still going strong as a productive receiver, even if his best days are behind him.

For most of his prime, Hopkins donned Texans red and blue, but he's been more well-traveled since leaving Houston in 2019. In 2025, Hopkins is set to be a key weapon for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in their quest for the Super Bowl that's evaded them thus far.

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Here's a full breakdown of Hopkins' career and how he reached a mid-30s tenure in Baltimore.

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DeAndre Hopkins career timeline

Clemson, 2010-12

After attending D.W. Daniel High School in Central, South Carolina, Hopkins became ranked as one of the best receiving prospects in the country before committing to Clemson. Under Dabo Swinney, Hopkins played for the Tigers from 2010-12.

Hopkins was an immediate difference-maker at Clemson. He was the team’s leading receiver in his freshman year, totaling 637 yards and four touchdowns. Hopkins also played basketball at Clemson as a freshman.

In 2011, Hopkins’ second year, Clemson finished 10-4 as his production increased. He totaled 72 receptions for 978 yards and five touchdowns, forming an elite duo with Sammy Watkins.

Hopkins’ 2012 campaign at Clemson, his last, resulted in the team notching its first 11-win season in decades. That was partially due to Hopkins having a terrific year, leading the ACC with 1,405 receiving yards and setting a school record with 18 touchdowns.

Following his dominant junior season, Hopkins declared for the NFL Draft.

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Houston Texans, 2013-19

The Texans selected Hopkins with the 27th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. He was the second receiver taken, behind only Tavon Austin at eighth overall.

As a rookie, Hopkins totaled 802 receiving yards and two touchdowns on a Texans team that struggled to a 2-14 record. Still, he was named to an All-Rookie Team in 2013 and built on that success by posting 1,210 yards and six touchdowns in 2014.

Houston made the playoffs with Hopkins for the first time in 2015, and he was undoubtedly the team’s leading receiver by then. Despite catching passes from four different quarterbacks in his third NFL season, Hopkins set career highs in receptions (111), receiving yards (1,521), and touchdowns (11). Houston won its division before an early playoff exit, and Hopkins was named a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro.

Hopkins’ remaining years with the Texans were mostly the same: limited team success but impressive individual numbers. Houston made the playoffs in 2016, 2018, and 2019, but never advanced past the divisional round. Hopkins recorded three more 1,000-yard seasons, including 1,572 in 2018. From 2017-19, he was a First-Team All-Pro selection each season and finished his time in Houston as a four-time Pro Bowler.

Hopkins had signed a five-year extension with the Texans in 2017, but he didn't quite make it through the end of that deal. In March 2020, he was traded to the Cardinals.

Arizona Cardinals, 2020-22

Hopkins' seven-year tenure as a Texan came to an end on March 16, 2020, when the team traded him to the Cardinals, along with a fourth-round pick, in exchange for running back David Johnson, a second-rounder and a fourth-rounder. At the time, the deal was heavily criticized, as Johnson's best years as a running back were behind him.

Before his first season as a Cardinal in 2020, Hopkins signed a two-year extension with the team. Still in his prime, he proceeded to have a terrific year for Arizona, becoming the top weapon for Kyler Murray with 115 catches for 1,407 yards and six touchdowns. During the 2020 season, Hopkins became the youngest player in NFL history to reach 10,000 receiving yards.

The 2021 season was rougher for Hopkins, who dealt with a hamstring ailment, then a season-ending torn MCL in Week 14. He finished the year with 572 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Arizona did make the playoffs in 2021, but fell in the wild card round.

Hopkins' final year in Arizona was 2022, but he once again missed time, this instance due to a six-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drugs policy. Hopkins remained productive in his return, with 717 yards and three touchdowns in nine games. However, his time in Arizona was fairly similar to Houston in the fact that his team didn't find much playoff success, even with Hopkins being a strong weapon.

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Tennessee Titans, 2023-24

After Hopkins was released by the Cardinals in May 2023, he later agreed to a two-year deal with the Titans. 

The 2023 season was a resurgent one for Hopkins, as he posted his first 1,000-yard season since 2020, adding in seven scores. Three of his touchdowns came in one game, a win over Atlanta in Week 8.

Hopkins then began the 2024 season with Tennessee before a trade sent him to one of the AFC's top squads.

Kansas City Chiefs, 2024

On October 24, 2024, the Chiefs acquired Hopkins in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick. Over the rest of the season for Kansas City, Hopkins totaled 437 yards and four touchdowns as a weapon for Patrick Mahomes.

The Chiefs then reached Super Bowl 59, Hopkins' first appearance in the title game. While Hopkins notched a touchdown and a two-point conversion against the Eagles, it was for naught, as Philadelphia won 40-22. 

Hopkins then became a free agent after the 2024 season.

Baltimore Ravens, 2025

In March 2025, Hopkins agreed to a one-year deal to join the Ravens, marking his fifth NFL team. He joined a wide receiver depth chart than includes Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman.

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DeAndre Hopkins career stats

Here's a look at Hopkins' career numbers:

How old is DeAndre Hopkins?

Hopkins is 33 years old. He was born on June 6, 1992, so he'll be 33 for the entirety of the 2025 NFL season.