Teams hoping to snag DeAndre Hopkins can kiss their dreams goodbye; he has a discerning standard that leaves most of them out in the cold.
DeAndre Hopkins is easily one of the top five wide receivers in the NFL when he’s healthy. If not for getting popped for PEDs, he would have put up another 1,000-yard season as an Arizona Cardinal. Now, a guy who can change the passing offense is a free agent. To some, he may be washed, but if you saw him play at the end of the 2022 NFL season, you would have seen he hasn’t lost a step. He has a skill set that allows him to age gracefully. He’s an elite route runner with exceptional hands and plays with a tenacity that transcends eras.
Which NFL teams could sign DeAndre Hopkins after Cardinals release?
In the right offense, the former first-round pick could help take the quarterback to the next level. He’s a nightmare for defensive coordinators given how versatile he is as a wideout. Unfortunately, despite him being a free agent, not all 31 teams have a shot at the former All-Pro. Hopkins is a man who knows what he wants, and it’s not being part of a team that’s rebuilding. Naturally, that eliminates six teams with some not-so-good rosters.
On I Am Athlete, Hopkins listed his criteria. The signal caller makes all the difference for Hopkins. Kyler Murray caught strays when Hopkins expressed that he’d want to play for a quarterback that loves football. But, he also knows it’s not all about the quarterback. Hopkins said that he wanted to play for a team with a great defense since defense wins championships. So, most fan bases may as well give up hope since there are only a few teams that fit that criteria.
49ers fans, Hopkins won’t be there despite having an elite defense, head coach, and being Super Bowl contenders. There’s too much uncertainty at the quarterback spot. New York Jets fans, don’t hold your breath either. The defense is amazing, but Aaron Rodgers is a short-term rental. With the uncertainty at quarterback, Hopkins may not want to hitch his wagon to a team without long-term plans.
It would be nice to see him reunite with Deshaun Watson, but given the question marks about their defensive and lack of playoff appearances, it’s hard to imagine him opting for the fourth-best team in the AFC North.
5. New Orleans Saints
At first glance, the New Orleans Saints don’t seem like a team DeAndre Hopkins would choose, but it should be. Last season, the Saints once again proved they were one of the best defensive teams in the NFL. The team surrendered 20 points per game, which was good enough for ninth in the NFL. It also helped that they gave up an average of 314 yards per game, which was top five amongst all defenses. Given they play n a wide-open NFC South, the Saints have an easier path to the playoffs, which means they have a shot at the Super Bowl.
Hopkins mentioned how he wanted a quarterback that loved the game. Look no further than Derek Carr. He showed he can help make guys better, just see Hunter Winfrow and Darren Waller. He also played with an All-Pro in Davante Adams, and his numbers didn’t suffer. Carr showed he can put a franchise on his back regardless of the circumstances. Carr was key in leading the team to the playoffs in 2021 despite the firing of Gruden and the leadership of an interim head coach..
Hopkins won’t bear all the weight of being the guy. Chris Olave showed he has the potential to be a great wideout. The duo of Hopkins and Olave is dangerous enough, but throw in a potentially healthy Michael Thomas — the Saints become scary.
4. Dallas Cowboys
Win lose or draw, Jerry Jones loves the spotlight. One move the Cowboys can make to shine even more light on the Cowboys is the signing of DeAndre Hopkins.
The defense will play a key role in DeAndre Hopkins’ decision, and the Cowboys have it. Micah Parsons is an absolute sud that should be around for the next decade. He’s a game-changing defensive end that plays with one of the better corners in the league, Trevon Diggs. The result saw Dallas as one of the league’s best defenses. Of course, at the end of the day, it’s about winning and the offense. Dak Prescott was a turnover machine since losing Amari Cooper, yet we’ve seen what he’s capable of with a dynamic playmaker.
With Cooper, Prescott completed 68.8% threw for 4,449, 37 touchdowns 10 ints, and finished with a quarterback rating of 104.2. Prescott is known for his leadership and passion for the game. It shows on the field week in and week out. Hopkins would dominate in a Mike McCarthy offense alongside CeeDee Lamb.
It also doesn’t hurt that he’ll be playing in a dome most of the season. Given Prescott’s age and future contract, Hopkins would have a quarterback he can depend on for years to come.
3. Baltimore Ravens
Having a former MVP quarterback that led the league in touchdowns at one point, means the Baltimore Ravens will be on DeAndre Hopkins’ list. Lamar Jackson would take an even bigger step forward with Hopkins, and Hopkins will not be the only guy on the offense.
The Ravens made sure of that when they kicked off their signings with Nelson Agholor, a reliable veteran who provides valuable depth. But the biggest splash came with the signing of Odell Beckham Jr., a former Super Bowl champion and proven playmaker. Rashad Bateman will hopefully be healthy. They added the speedster from Boston College, Zay Flowers. New offensive coordinator Todd Monken will have a fantastic time designing plays to scheme these guys open. With Jackson’s threat on the ground, defenses will not be able to stop him.
In a predictable offense, Jackson was a dynamic weapon. Give him wide receivers led by Hopkins, and they will be a top-three offense in the NFL. Think about this, with Lamar’s injuries and putrid play calling, the Ravens had to rely heavily on their defense. In 2023, the Baltimore Ravens surrendered an average of 18.5 points per game. As Hopkins stated, defense is important. Last season, the Ravens were plagued by injuries, and as they look to get healthy, a player like Hopkins will take their offense to the next level. They were already in the playoffs. Hopkins, plus the new additions, would make them Super Bowl contenders.
2. Buffalo Bills
DeAndre Hopkins and Stephon Diggs would strike fear as a dynamic duo in the Bills’ offense. With Hopkins, the Bills’ offense would become a force to be reckoned with. Hopkins is known for his exceptional route-running, reliable hands, and ability to make acrobatic catches in contested situations. Combined with Diggs, who emerged as one of the league’s top receivers, the Bills would boast a wide receiver tandem that few defenses could contain.
Hopkins’ deep threat capability, along with Diggs’ ability to create separation and make clutch catches, would stretch the field and open up opportunities for other offensive weapons. Defenses would be forced to allocate additional resources to contain the dynamic duo, providing more room for the Bills’ running game and creating opportunities for other receivers, tight ends, and running backs.
Both Hopkins and Diggs possess outstanding red zone presence, excelling at winning contested catches and finding the end zone. Their combined skill set would make the Bills a potent force in the red zone, where touchdowns are crucial in determining the outcome of games. With two reliable targets for Josh Allen, the Bills’ red zone efficiency would skyrocket.
Should Hopkins choose to don the Bills’ uniform, the team’s Super Bowl aspirations would receive a significant boost, making them one of the most formidable contenders in the NFL.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
With the departure of JuJu Smith-Schuster to the Patriots, the Kansas City Chiefs find themselves in need of a reliable wide receiver. Enter DeAndre Hopkins, whose skill set and criteria align perfectly with the Chiefs’ offensive needs. In this article, we explore why signing Hopkins would be a smart move for the Chiefs and how he fits their criteria.
Known for his pass-heavy approach, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid relies heavily on a dynamic passing offense. Adding an elite boundary wideout like Hopkins would provide a significant boost to an offense that may have to rely on Kadarius Toney, who has a history of injuries, as a key receiver.
Travis Kelce has established himself as the main man in the Chiefs’ passing offense. However, having a receiver of Hopkins’ caliber would create a formidable duo that opposing defenses would struggle to contain. Hopkins’ exceptional route-running and reliable hands make him an ideal complement to Kelce’s dominance in the middle of the field.
The Chiefs currently lack a proven wide receiver threat, with both Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman moving on. Hopkins’ arrival would fill that void and provide Patrick Mahomes with a reliable target on the outside, adding depth and diversity to the Chiefs’ receiving corps.
The Kansas City Chiefs, known for their explosive offense led by Patrick Mahomes, would greatly benefit from signing DeAndre Hopkins. His elite skills, combined with his specific criteria, make him a perfect fit for the Chiefs’ offensive system. Adding Hopkins would strengthen their passing attack and provide the team with the tools needed to contend for another Super Bowl title.