NFL: Best Landing Spots For DeAndre Hopkins
It came as a surprise to most NFL fans and experts when the Arizona Cardinals flat-out cut DeAndre Hopkins. Arizona has made some questionable moves in the past but this one is interesting. They’re probably getting started on the rebuild mode, but there had to be at least some value in a trade even if it was going to be for late-round picks. Now Hopkins is looking for a new home and there are a few spots he could and should end up:
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo needs another big threat if they continue their upward trajectory in the AFC. They’ve consistently won their division and are often Super Bowl favorites throughout the season. Josh Allen has turned a corner and Stefon Diggs continues to be their number 1 playmaker. The Bills went out and finally addressed their tight end position which should help keep drives moving. With Diggs on one side and Hopkinds on the other, Buffalo could have the explosive unit their division rival Miami Dolphins have with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
New York Giants
The New York Giants haven’t had an explosive WR since Odell Beckham Jr. Hopkins turns 31 this June and has missed the 1,000-yard mark the past two seasons, but both were with a struggling Cardinals team. Brian Daboll has shown in both stops he has been able to get the most out of his QBs with Josh Allen and Daniel Jones, if he can make the same progress with players like Hopkins, he’d easily get back to that 1000-yard benchmark.
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Philadelphia Eagles
Philly has been playing above the bar for the past few seasons. They’ve won a Super Bowl in the last 5 years and were in another last year. Hopkins with Jalen Hurts would be almost too good to be true for Eagles fans. If you can keep up with the Chiefs losing 38-35 in the Super Bowl, and your team adds a top-level talent like DeAndre Hopkins, the rest of the NFC East, or the NFL even, should be concerned.
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore has consistently invested in young wide receivers but can’t seem to get to the next level. They’ve recently looked to a veteran presence with OBJ and heavily invested in their franchise QB Lamar Jackson. If they can find a way to get Hopkins in-house, it’ll finally close the door on the “they don’t give Lamar Jackson any help” crowd. Baltimore is a team looking to elevate to Super Bowl contender and Hopkins could easily make them a favorite this offseason if they can get a deal done.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are probably the least likely team but don’t count them out. They took a backseat to the rest of the NFL last year after regressing with potentially a Super Bowl hangover. Yet, they’re not completely out of the picture as they’ll get Cooper Kupp back this year and Matthew Stafford could always use another weapon. On top of the fact that the Rams still have a stellar defense. If D-Hop wants to put some fanfare around his name, getting a team back to a Super Bowl is the way to do it.
There’s no hurry to get a deal done, but whichever NFL team ends up with DeAndre Hopkins would instantly upgrade their offense. Which team has the best chance? Stay tuned.
Rick ODonnell aka Caveman Rick has many years covering the Miami Dolphins, Sports, and all sorts of movies and television.