The Arizona Cardinals are coming off quite a disappointing campaign. They replaced their head coach and general manager, and their starting quarterback might miss half the season. As a result, 2023 may be a bit of a transitional year for Arizona. That makes a veteran like WR DeAndre Hopkins a bit out of place.
For a couple of months now, there have been reports that the Cardinals are open to trading Hopkins. But will it actually happen? Which teams are best positioned to trade for the star receiver?
What Could a DeAndre Hopkins Trade Look Like?
It’s always tricky for teams to negotiate a trade for an older, big-name player like Hopkins. At 31 years old this season, Hopkins is undoubtedly past his prime. But he’s also not done yet. Hopkins still looked quite good after returning from his six-game suspension in 2022.
Hopkins averaged 10.6 targets per game last year. In nine games, he caught 64 passes for 717 yards and three touchdowns. He’s still very much capable of helping a win-now team get that extra offensive push to put them over the top.
According to Albert Breer, “AZ’s initial ask, to get a 2nd rounder and another asset, seems to have fallen flat, and there are teams waiting to see the price come down in the wake of the Brandin Cooks trade. To try to facilitate something, AZ has granted teams permission to talk to Hopkins and his agents.”
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Right now, the biggest impediment to a deal seems to be Hopkins’ contract. He’s currently the third-highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL with a $30.7 million cap hit this year.
Former Cardinals’ GM Steve Keim offered some pretty candid words on the Hopkins’ situation on Chris Long’s podcast. “Here’s the problem: The problem is his current contract. Hop was his own agent, and I can tell you that wasn’t the easiest (negotiation) in the world. Between him and Larry Fitzgerald, that put all the grey on my beard.”
Ian Rapoport echoed the contract concerns, indicating that a trade would likely come with a contract restructure.
Latest News and Rumors Around Hopkins
New Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon isn’t interested in addressing the Hopkins trade rumors.
At the league’s annual meeting, Gannon told NFL Network’s Steve Wyche, “I’m operating that he’s a Cardinal right now. So, I’m looking forward to getting in the meeting room and on the field with him and seeing where it can go. I just know he’s an elite player. Being a defensive guy, I had to go up against him a couple times in the division. The challenges that he presents. I’m excited to get to work with him.”
Right now, there’s nothing imminent. But as we know all too well, things move fast in the NFL. Last year, we saw a pair of Browns — A.J. Brown and Marquise Brown — traded during the NFL Draft. Were those deals anomalies or perhaps the start of a new trend? Nevertheless, it certainly wouldn’t be a shock to see Hopkins moved during this year’s draft.
According to Benjamin Allbright, the list of Hopkins suitors as of around March 21 were the Patriots, Giants, Titans, and Falcons. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. Realistically, any team in need of wide receiver help is a potential trade partner.
Potential Hopkins Landing Spots That Make Sense
For a landing spot to make sense, the other team needs to not only have hope at wide receiver but also have the capital to pay Hopkins. Even with a restructured contract, there is only so much kicking the can down the road a general manager can do.
Ultimately, I do expect Hopkins to be traded. Here are three teams that would be good fits to trade for Hopkins.
Atlanta Falcons
I guess the Falcons kind of make sense. Financially, with roughly $15 million in cap space, they can likely make it work.
From a need standpoint, Atlanta has very little behind Drake London at wide receiver. Yes, Kyle Pitts is a de facto WR. But surely they’d like to upgrade on Mack Hollins and Scotty Miller as their WR2 and WR3.
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The biggest issue I have with the Falcons as a landing spot is the situation. Even if they get Hopkins, Atlanta is not about to become a serious contender. I’m not a believer in Desmond Ridder, and we already know Taylor Heinicke is not a quarterback you can win with.
Ultimately, from a money and need perspective, the Falcons make sense. But I do think Hopkins wants to win, so going to a noncontender is probably not in the cards.
Tennessee Titans
If you just read my article on the Derrick Henry trade rumors, you already have an idea of what this would mean. The Titans are at a crossroads between taking one more shot with their remaining core that got them the No. 1 seed in the 2021 season and blowing it up.
Ryan Tannehill is not a quarterback you can win with, and this is likely his last year on the team if things don’t improve. Nevertheless, if Tennessee does want to go all in on the 2023 season, they need WR help. Currently, they have Treylon Burks and a bunch of guys who are nothing more than rotational WR4/5s.
With about $7 million in cap space, it would definitely be a challenge to make Hopkins’ contract work. But I think they have enough, and Ran Carthon is a savvy enough general manager to figure it out.
Buffalo Bills
For a team considered a perennial title contender, the Bills haven’t really given Josh Allen much behind Stefon Diggs. I feel like the perception on Buffalo’s passing game was always greater than reality.
Allen makes a lot happen with his athleticism and elite playmaking ability. But outside of Diggs, what has he really had to work with?
Gabe Davis is not an NFL WR2. At best, he profiles as a WR3, and I’d rather have him as a WR4.
The remaining Bills receivers are Khalil Shakir (a 2022 Day 3 pick), Deonte Harty (former Saints WR who never stuck), and two Cardinals outcasts in Trent Sherfield and KeeSean Johnson. This team could really use another strong wide receiver, and Hopkins obviously fits the bill.
With a little over $8 million in cap space, the Bills would also have to get crafty. Fortunately, everything should be on the table to make Hopkins fit, as the goal is to win a Super Bowl, and the Bills are in their window.
Buffalo may not be the perfect fit financially, but they have the need and provide Hopkins with a real opportunity to chase a championship.
