DeAndre Hopkins hasn’t been a member of the Baltimore Ravens for long, having just signed a one-year deal with the team in March. But the former Clemson star and longtime NFL receiver has already made a big impression on one of his new, young teammates.
Ravens wideout Zay Flowers – a 2023 first-round pick out of Boston College and 2024 Pro Bowler – is poised to learn a lot from Hopkins – a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro.
Now entering his third NFL season, Flowers met with the media recently and discussed what it’s been like thus far working with Hopkins, who’s heading into his 13th NFL campaign in 2025.
The 24-year-old Flowers called Hopkins, who turned 33 this month, “a real vet.”
“Like, he knows everything,” Flowers said. “He teaches you what he knows. He gives out the game, and he works hard, too. So, it’s easy to follow him. It’s easy to get behind him and do what he does. So, he’s a great vet and he’s great for our group.”
The Ravens now have an outstanding trio of receivers, with Hopkins joining a receiving corps that already featured a talented young tandem in Flowers and Rashod Bateman.
Flowers recorded 77 receptions for 858 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie in 2023, then hauled in 74 catches for 1,059 yards and four touchdowns en route to Pro Bowl honors last season.
Flowers talked about something he’s already picked up from Hopkins, who has amassed 984 receptions for 12,965 yards and 83 touchdowns during his Hall of Fame-caliber career with the Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs since being selected by Houston in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
“He’s patient in everything he does,” Flowers said. “He understands that in practice, you’ve got to detail it, so in the game it’s perfect. So, I’ve been learning that from him.”
What advice has Hopkins given to Flowers?
“Just take care of your body,” he said. “It’s really been like that with all my vets – Nelly [Nelson Agholor], Odell [Beckham Jr.], D-Hop.”
“They all tell me the same thing, take care of your body and maybe I can play 13 years like them,” Flowers added, laughing.
–Photo courtesy of Stephen Lew-Imagn Images