limited him to 54 catches and 807 yards.

Putting up numbers similar to 2013 and ’14, when he averaged 87 catches, 1,277 yards and 8.5 touchdowns, will result in a huge payday for the second-round pick out of South Carolina.

“His drive is there,” Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said. “He wants the ball. He’s been a lot more vocal (this year).”

But the quiet and low-key Jeffery isn’t just vocal about getting the football thrown his way, according to Cutler.

“He’s helped out the young guys,” the quarterback said. “That isn’t in his nature because he’s a shy guy. He’s more of a go-out-there-and-do-it kind of guy. But he’s taken that leadership role, which is fun to watch.”

Not as fun, though, as watching Jeffery and Hopkins elevate in a crowd and come down with the ball.

Hopkins was third in the NFL last season with 111 receptions and 1,521 yards. The 2013 first-round pick also scored 11 touchdowns despite playing with four quarterbacks. Current Bears backup Brian Hoyer was the Texans’ No. 1 quarterback, but Ryan Mallett, T.J. Yates and Brandon Weeden all started at least one game. Any quarterback benefits from Hopkins’ skill set.

“He’s got a good catch radius, he’s strong, and he can go get it,” Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. “He was probably a good rebounder in his basketball days.”

Defending Hopkins won’t be easy for a less-than-healthy Bears secondary. Starting cornerback Kyle Fuller didn’t play at all in the preseason and is still limited in practice after early-August knee surgery. Nickel corner Bryce Callahan also is limited with a groin injury.

“We’ve got to win those 50-50 balls,” Fangio said. “That’s something that he’s really good at.”

The Bears need Jeffery as much or more than the Texans need Hopkins. Kevin White’s hamstring tweak at Thursday’s practice is concerning, and slot receiver Eddie Royal didn’t play in the preseason because of a concussion early in training camp.

But Jeffery says he won’t put any undue pressure on himself.

“I’m just here playing football, just having fun playing the game I’ve loved to play since I was young,” Jeffery said. “Everything else will take care of itself.”

That’s what quarterbacks think when they launch throws deep down the field in the vicinity of Jeffery or Hopkins.