Two new teams have emerged in the sweepstakes for DeAndre Hopkins. After revealing that Kansas City Chiefs were the frontrunners for Hopkins’ services, Benjamin Allbright recently added that the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons were also teams to watch.
Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) on DeAndre Hopkins suitors:
“Teams I’m told are interested with the possible capital to pull off a trade for Hopkins include (but aren’t limited to) the New England Patriots, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons.”
— Michael Marino (@MarinoMLB) March 21, 2023
Titans and Falcons Join DeAndre Hopkins Sweepstakes
The Titans and Falcons join a plethora of teams that have been linked to Hopkins, including the Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears.
As it stands, the Arizona Cardinals are asking for value close to a second-round pick and a fourth or fifth-round selection. However, given that Darren Waller and Jalen Ramsey were traded for third-round picks recently, some believe that the Hopkins trade will only yield a similar haul for Arizona.
30-year-old Hopkins showed his worth in the 2022 season. Despite starting the year with a six-game suspension, he proved how valuable he was to the Cardinals offense when he returned. However, with the team hitting the reset button under Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon, it seems inevitable that Hopkins will be shifted while he is still a valuable asset. This way, the new regime can gain some cap space and draft picks to re-build their roster.
Approaching the twilight of his career, it is believed that Hopkins is looking for the chance to win a championship. He does, however, have a cap hit of around $30 million this year. As such, it is expected that he will restructure his contract if any trade is made.
As the status of #AZCardinals star WR DeAndre Hopkins comes into focus, talks are ramping up among the interested teams, sources say. Similar to Brandin Cooks, a trade would likely mean an altered contract.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 21, 2023
With the Titans and Falcons joining the sweepstakes, the league interest in Hopkins remains high. Are the Titans and Falcons likely landing spots currently?
Tennessee Titans Make Sense in DeAndre Hopkins Sweepstakes
While the Titans may not have been an obvious first choice for Hopkins, many links can be drawn. The first thing to note is that Ossenfort, Arizona’s new GM, was hired from Tennessee. This suggests that Ossenfort would be open to dealing with some familiar faces.
In terms of need and fit, Hopkins is an intriguing match for Mike Vrabel’s side. The Titans lost A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles via trade last year. They drafted Treylon Burks with the first-round pick they received but, as it stands, have a depleted receiver room outside of Burks (who missed time through injury this year). While Hopkins has had some health concerns lately, he adds quality, depth and leadership to a thin receiving corp.
Hopkins also fits the mold of what Tennessee have acquired in the past. In 2021, then-GM Jon Robinson traded a second and fourth-round pick for an aging Julio Jones. While Robinson has now left the Titans, would new GM Ran Carthon be willing to make a similar move? The compensation would be similar and Hopkins’ play style is arguably more sustainable than Jones’ was.
Tennessee’s Trade Packages
Should Tennessee want to acquire Hopkins, they could take a few different routes. A straight-up trade makes the most sense, they could flip picks 41 and 149 for Hopkins and call it a day.
TEN Receives ARI Receives
DeAndre Hopkins 41 (2), 149 (5)
However, another solution could be acquiring Hopkins in a trade-up scenario. It is no secret that Ossenfort wants to trade down in the 2023 NFL Draft. If Tennessee are interested in drafting one of the top quarterbacks, they could send around three firsts, a second and some late-round picks for the third overall selection and Hopkins.
TEN Receives ARI Receives
3 (1), DeAndre Hopkins 11 (1), 41 (2), 149 (5), 2024 1st, 2024 3rd, 2025 1st
(Value based on 49ers-Eagles trade in 2021)
The Titans have assets that Arizona will be interested in too, however. Kyler Murray’s rehab schedule is still unknown. It is unlikely that he will start the 2023 season, leaving Arizona with Colt McCoy and David Blough. Malik Willis was drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was selected by a front office that included Ossenfort. If Ossenfort was an admirer of Willis, he could poach him to be Arizona’s backup. Willis’ playstyle is not dissimilar to Murray’s, meaning a drastic change in playbook would not be required. Given that he was drafted in the third round last year and struggled in his limited NFL action, his value would be around a fourth-round selection currently. This could be part of a straight-up trade or a trade-up scenario.
TEN Receives ARI Receives
2024 7th, DeAndre Hopkins 41 (2), Malik Willis
Or…
TEN Receives ARI Receives
3 (1), DeAndre Hopkins 11 (1), 41 (2), 2024 1st, 2024 3rd, 2025 1st, Malik Willis
Atlanta Falcons Are a Dark Horse in DeAndre Hopkins Sweepstakes
The Falcons may be more of a dark horse than other teams, but do not rule them out. The Falcons have a lot of cap space as well as the necessary draft capital to make a move for Hopkins with ease. The team has a young receiver room currently but Drake London and Kyle Pitts have the potential to be superstars. With that said, a mentor like Hopkins would be excellent for both players.
Hopkins would also be a good scheme fit in Atlanta. Tennessee’s former offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, is currently the head coach of the Falcons. Not only is he familiar with Ossenfort, but he was also familiar with having a superstar boundary receiver in Brown during his Tennessee days. As such, acquiring Hopkins could give the Atlanta offense the necessary premier wideout that London will hopefully grow into.
It is currently unclear whether the Falcons will draft another quarterback, but they seem to like Desmond Ridder right now. Regardless of whether it is Ridder or another young quarterback, having Hopkins to help out their inexperienced signal caller would be a huge asset. Just look at how he helped out Murray in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
One might argue that Hopkins would reject a move to Atlanta on the grounds that they do not seem to be Super Bowl contenders in 2023. However, his no-trade clause was waived due to his suspension earlier in the season, meaning he has little choice where he ends up.
Atlanta’s Trade Packages
Like Tennessee, Atlanta has the necessary capital to make a direct trade for Hopkins. This probably is the likeliest scenario if Atlanta decides to acquire Hopkins.
ATL Receives ARI Receives
DeAndre Hopkins 44 (2), 155 (5)
The Falcons could also look to trade up in the 2023 NFL Draft and incorporate Hopkins in a deal. This scenario would occur if the Falcons are keen on one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft.
ATL Receives ARI Receives
3 (1), DeAndre Hopkins 7 (1), 44 (2), 155 (5), 2024 1st, 2024 2nd, 2025 3rd, 2025 6th
Main Photo: Michael Chow-The Republic/USA TODAY NETWORK
