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DeAndre Hopkins may end up where he’s most desperately needed

By Sayre Bedinger

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 30: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on before the start of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 34-26. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 30: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on before the start of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 34-26. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /
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Typically at this time of year, any big-name free agent signing is to either replace an injured player or strengthen a strength. In the case of DeAndre Hopkins and his free agency pursuits, that may not be the case where he ends up signing. Hopkins has begun his free agency visits with a trip to Nashville to meet with the Titans. After that, he’s expected to potentially visit the Patriots.

It’s rare in the middle of June for a player like DeAndre Hopkins to be available, first of all. But second of all, it’s rare that a team like the Titans — a pretty consistent contender in the AFC South — won two of the last three division titles, made the playoffs three of the last four years — would still have a significant need at the wide receiver position.

But the Titans do.

The Tennessee Titans have a truly desperate need for a player like DeAndre Hopkins, and his arrival could potentially revive the excitement for this team in 2023. We all understand that this is not 2018 DeAndre Hopkins we’re talking about. It’s not even 2019 DeAndre Hopkins. This is an older version of DeAndre Hopkins, but this is still a guy that can play.

And for a team like the Tennessee Titans, Hopkins might actually be able to play a really big role.

Tennessee Titans top four WRs in 2023 without DeAndre Hopkins

  • Treylon Burks
  • Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
  • Kyle Philips
  • Chris Moore

This is the worst wide receiver unit in the entire NFL right now. It’s an embarrassing group with all due respect to the guys they have, guys who have worked their whole lives to make it to this level of football. What I’m trying to say is, if all 31 other NFL teams had the chance to swap their receiver room with Tennessee, I don’t think a single one would do it.

A player like DeAndre Hopkins wouldn’t change the long-term perception of the Titans’ wide receiver crew, which is in need of even a few more pieces, but Hopkins would absolutely legitimize this group and I think he would be ideal for the Titans for a couple of reasons.

First of all, it looks like they are planning on rolling Ryan Tannehill out there again this year. Like it or not, I think the Titans can play winning football if Tannehill stays mostly healthy.

Second, you have a young QB in Will Levis on the roster. Let’s say he does play or has to play this coming season. Wouldn’t a receiver like Hopkins help his development tremendously?

I think this would be a huge win for the Titans. They should have added to the position previously but neglected to do so, putting them in a bit of a predicament at this point in time. However, the availability of DeAndre Hopkins and his connection to head coach Mike Vrabel from their time together in Houston could be a clutch late offseason victory for this Titans team.

For their sake, let’s hope they can close the deal.

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