Texans: 4 2020 NFL Draft prospects to target to replace DeAndre Hopkins
By Cory Kinnan
Isaiah Hodgins, Oregon State
Should the Texans look for a later round option, then Oregon State’s Isaiah Hodgins may be a solid option on day-three of the 2020 NFL Draft. After a spectacular season for the Beavers in 2019, Hodgins decided to forego his senior season (a decision that now looks skeptical given the depth of the receiver group in this year’s draft).
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This past season at Oregon State, Hodgins posted quite a gaudy statline for the Beavers, propelling himself into the talks of the NFL Draft. Catching 86 passes for 1,171 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns for the Beavers in 2019, Hodgins was named as a Biletnikoff Trophy finalist for the top receiver in the nation, and was named as a first team All-Pac 12 wide receiver.
Just an average athlete, with average agility, Hodgins enters the draft as not much more than a big body with a wide catch radius. However, with a late round pick, there are worse flyers to take a chance on than Hodgins. Besides, he shows on tape the ability to be a better route runner than most men his size can prove to be.
It is unlikely that the Texans will need to use a mid-rounder in the draft to get Hodgins, so he could be worth the look in Houston. This would not move the needle of softening the blow of losing DeAndre Hopkins, however.