By GRAYSON SKWERES

Staff Writer

Andre Johnson is no longer the best receiver on the Texans. That should come as a surprise to few, especially considering the nine-catch, 238-yard performance by DeAndre Hopkins against Tennessee on Sunday. Oh, and he had two touchdowns as well.

When you look at the numbers, Hopkins’ career is actually off to a better start that Johnson, indisputably the best wideout in franchise history. That statement may surprise many, but it rings true. Here’s why:

ROOKIE SEASONS

Andre Johnson

Johnson had a spectacular rookie season, racking up 976 yards on 66 receptions and four touchdowns in 2003. Throw in the fact that Andre had David Carr, Tony Banks, and Dave Ragone throwing to him, and it looks even more impressive.

However, Andre was far and away the featured target, which is rare for a rookie. Domanick Williams, better known back then as Domanick Davis, was second on the team with 47 receptions, almost 20 less than Johnson.

The next best receiver on the 2003 Texans? That would be Jabar Gaffney, who had 34 receptions. The 2003 Texans didn’t exactly have a wealth of offensive options.

DeAndre Hopkins

Hopkins had a solid rookie season in 2013. Although it wasn’t up to par with Johnson’s statistically, it can be argued that he played just as well. Hopkins had 52 receptions for 802 yards, which was actually more yards per catch than Johnson’s rookie year (15.4 vs. 14.8).

The reason for the volume discrepancy is largely because DeAndre, unlike Andre, did not come in as the featured offensive weapon. In fact, guys like Andre Johnson, Arian Foster, and Owen Daniels were probably all ranked ahead of him going into 2013.

As Foster and Daniels went down with injuries, Hopkins moved his way up the pecking order, but he was still far from the featured target. That was still Johnson, who reeled in 109 catches for 1,407 yards. Then consider the fact that DeAndre had Matt Schaub, Case Keenum, and T.J. Yates throwing passes to him. With that trio equally as bad as those in Andre’s rookie year (if not worse), you can see why Hopkins’ rookie season doesn’t lag behind Andre’s all that much.

SOPHOMORE SEASONS

Andre Johnson

Andre Johnson went into the 2004 season as the featured target on yet another depleted Houston offense. Johnson had 79 receptions for 1,142 yards and 6 TDs. Domanick Davis again was second in receptions (68), and Jabar Gaffney was the “second-best” receiver with 41 receptions.

Johnson got to stick with one quarterback throughout his entire sophomore season, as David Carr played 16 games and compiled one of his best seasons of his career. Of course, that season would still be trumped by Peyton Manning’s worst season, but the point remains.

DeAndre Hopkins

Through 12 games, Hopkins has 60 receptions for 1,041 yards and 6 touchdowns. That’s 19 less receptions, 101 less yards, and the same amount of touchdowns than Johnson’s second season, except four games still remain. That’s also on a team in which Hopkins is the second-most-targeted receiver behind Andre Johnson, and on a team in which the passing attack plays second fiddle to the running game on many occasions.

If Hopkins stays on his current pace, he’ll finish with 80 receptions, which is one more than Johnson’s 79. He would have 1,388 yards, which is almost 250 yards more than Johnson’s 1,142-yard season, and 8 TDs, which is two more than Andre’s six scores in 2004.

If he stays on his current pace, Hopkins will finish with a much better second season than Andre’s, and his career will be off to an even better start than the comparable years for the best football player in Texans history.