DeAndre Hopkins returns to form with Ravens, impressing John Harbaugh, Lamar Jackson

Hopkins’ signing with the Ravens might have flown under the radar of the average NFL fan, especially those who only know him from his last two seasons spent in Tennessee and Kansas City. But those who properly recall Hopkins’ receiving artistry from his best years — including three first-team All-Pro selections in Houston and a legendary snag of a Hail Mary in Arizona — know Hopkins has owned game-changing skills for quite some time.

With this in mind, Hopkins’ addition was significant, especially for a Ravens offense that already finished atop the league in yards per game last season.

Through two weeks, his quarterback has come to learn just how valuable Hopkins can be to their offense.

“A guy who can be covered and still make plays? I feel like we have that, but he’s different,” Jackson said this week of Hopkins. “He’s a vet, and he has seen it all at the cornerback position. The guy has huge hands to catch the ball — one hand, two fingers — it doesn’t really matter.”

Hopkins’ rare skill set was on full display when he hauled in his first touchdown grab in Buffalo and when he snagged the long pass that set up the Ravens on Cleveland’s 1-yard line in Week 2. Hopkins hasn’t seen a high volume of targets — four catches on as many targets for 99 yards through two games — but in this offense, he doesn’t need it to make a difference.

The Ravens (1-1) now know what they have in Hopkins: a weapon who can make defenses pay for loading up the box and produce huge chunks of gains. It’s a key part of why Baltimore boasts one of the most threatening offenses in the NFL.

As for those who thought Hopkins had lost his ability to contribute to a contender? Well, Jackson has a simple message for them.

“I seen it his whole career,” Jackson said of Hopkins. “Even when I wasn’t in the league, I’ve been watching ‘D-Hop’ make spectacular catches and when he was on other teams as well. … I believe people called him ‘washed’ and stuff like that, but he’s showing otherwise.”

Hopkins, Jackson and Co. host the Detroit Lions (1-1) on Monday night at 8:15 p.m. ET.