John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports that the Texans have exercised their fifth-year option for WR DeAndre Hopkins.
The fifth-year option will run them over $7.9 million in 2017, but is guaranteed only for injury and won’t prevent them from working on a long-term extension over the next year.
This is among the easier decisions in regards to teams picking up fifth-year options for 2013 first-round picks, as Hopkins is already among the best receivers in the NFL.
Hopkins has said previously that he would like to play his entire career for the Texans.
“If I can play my whole career here, I would,” Hopkins said, via the Houston Chronicle. “I love this place. This organization took a chance on drafting me. You have to look at that.”
Hopkins, 23, was taken with the No. 27 overall pick back in 2013. He was in the final year of his four-year, $7.64 million rookie contract and will make a base salary of $1 million for the 2016 season.
In 2015, Hopkins appeared in all 16 games for the Texans and recorded 111 receptions for 1,521 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 6 receiver out of 121 qualifying players.
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