After just one season with the Tennessee Titans, DeAndre Hopkins is reportedly on the trade block. The wide receiver might not be the unstoppable force he once was, but the three-time All-Pro remained productive during his first season with the Titans. Serving as the only reliable part of the passing attack, the Clemson product finished the 2023 campaign with 75 receptions for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns.
Hopkins still projects to be a key part of this passing attack, but he shouldn’t be as crucial an element in 2024. Tennessee broke the bank for Calvin Ridley in free agency, improved the offensive line, and will likely invest in a young pass-catcher during the 2024 NFL Draft. With all of these upgrades, DeAndre Hopkins might not be worth his $18.3 million cap hit, and one oddsmaker believes he could be a trade target during the draft.
Odds on veteran players to get traded during the #NFLDraft (@BetOnline_ag).
Brandon Aiyuk +200
Alvin Kamara +300
Courtland Sutton +400
DeAndre Hopkins +500
Tee Higgins +600
A.J. Brown +800— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) April 24, 2024
Vegas Thinks Titans Could Trade DeAndre Hopkins During NFL Draft
+500 odds means that a DeAndre Hopkins trade is not inevitable, but there is still a decent chance it will happen. It’s also noteworthy that he’s the fourth most likely player to be dealt, trailing obvious trade candidates Brandon Aiyuk and Courtland Sutton, as well as Alvin Kamara and his $18.55 million cap hit.
According to OverTheCap, the Titans can save over $10.4 million in cap space if they trade DeAndre Hopkins. At this point in his career, nobody will give up more than a Day 3 pick for DeAndre Hopkins, but the savings alone could be enough for the Titans to consider a trade, especially if they draft a young prospect.
While the wide recevier draft class is overflowing with talent, there are only so many prospects to go around. Chances are, at least one contender will miss out on their preferred prospect and could call the Titans about a potential DeAndre Hopkins trade.
Possible Destinations
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers traded for Diontae Johnson earlier in the offseason, but that won’t be the only addition they make to the wide receiver room. While Carolina could select Xavier Legette, they could pivot and trade for DeAndre Hopkins if the South Carolina product doesn’t make it out of the first round. While Hopkins is on the older side, he still has some gas left in his tank and will provide a reliable presence on the outside to complement Johnson and fellow wide receiver Adam Thielen.
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills were in on DeAndre Hopkins at this point last year. However, while the Titans outbid Buffalo for his services, the wideout could make his way to upstate New York in 2024. This team needs a proven veteran following the Stefon Diggs trade, and DeAndre Hopkins is a perfect fit for the job. Hopkins, Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, and Dalton Kincaid should be able to provide enough support for superstar quarterback Josh Allen.
Baltimore Ravens
Odell Beckham won’t be back in 2024, which means the Ravens need a new wide receiver. Zay Flowers excels at quickly getting open while Mark Andrews can work the seam, but this needs to be a reliable sideline threat. DeAndre Hopkins provides a much-needed skillset for this offense, and a trade could help this team keep pace with the rest of the loaded AFC.
Kansas City Chiefs
Rashee Rice will face some form of suspension for his role in the Texas car crash, and Kansas City needs to have some plan in place to help defend its title. The Chiefs tried to trade for DeAndre Hopkins last year, and they need someone capable of bodying cornerbacks on the outside. Hopkins and Marquise Brown were a dangerous duo in Arizona, and they should be even better with Patrick Mahomes throwing the ball.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have the worst collection of wide receivers in the league by a substantial margin. With reports indicating that Jim Harbaugh wants to take a tackle in the first round, Justin Herbert might have a tough time finding reliable options in the passing game. Rather than risking it all on a Day 2 receiver prospect, the Chargers could trade for a proven weapon in DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins has a similar style of play to former Charger Mike Williams, which means Hopkins and Herbert should develop an instant connection.
Main Photo: Andrew Nelles – USA Today Sports
