Texans' DeAndre Hopkins: New contract will be prioritized

Texans general manager Rick Smith said the team is intent on re-signing Hopkins, houstontexans.com reports.

Analysis:

The Texans long ago made the obvious decision to exercise the fifth-year option on Hopkins' rookie contract, locking him in at a team-friendly salary of $7.915 million for 2017. Though a disappointing 2016 season may have slightly reduced his value, the 24-year-old still figures to seek a long-term extension that pays him like the No. 1 wide receiver he is. The Texans likely will be amenable to discussion, as it's hard to argue that Hopkins' down season wasn't largely a result of poor quarterback play. He's yet to miss a game through four NFL seasons, catching 317 passes for 4,487 yards and 23 touchdowns while playing alongside a slew of sub-par quarterbacks.