If the Tennessee Titans play their cards right, they’ll avoid making the same mistake the Arizona Cardinals did with star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins a year ago.
The Cardinals held onto DeAndre Hopkins for far too long and failed to trade him while his value was at its highest. After failing to receive a trade offer for their liking, Arizona released him in the 2023 offseason and took on $22.6 million in dead money, as noted by ESPN‘s Josh Weinfuss.
Tennessee stunned the football world last year by signing “Nuk” to a two-year deal worth $26 million in the summer. Hopkins was one of the few positives on a disappointing Titans team last year, finishing with 75 receptions for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns.
But the Titans are rebuilding, and the 32-year-old Hopkins is unlikely to stay in Music City beyond 2024. The Titans’ best bet is to move the five-time Pro Bowler some time between now and the 2024 trade deadline, rather than lose Hopkins for nothing.
DeAndre Hopkins makes sense for just about any playoff hopeful, but the Derek Carr-led New Orleans Saints especially stand out as a logical landing spot for the veteran wideout.
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New Orleans has enough veteran talent to compete for a playoff berth. But they’re short on young cornerstone players to keep this window open long-term, so GM Mickey Loomis should consider going all-in again by shopping for another offensive playmaker to help Carr and company.
Chris Olave, Alvin Kamara, Rashid Shaheed and Juwan Johnson headline a solid set of weapons for Carr. But adding a perennial Pro Bowler and game-changer like Hopkins could be the move that helps New Orleans win the NFC South and end a four-year playoff drought.
What Saints Should Offer Titans For DeAndre Hopkins
Seeing how younger wideouts like Jerry Jeudy, Amari Cooper and Calvin Ridley (now a Titan) didn’t even cost first or second-round picks, the Saints should be able to get DeAndre Hopkins at a reasonable price.
A 2025 third-round pick and 2026 fifth-round picks should be enough to convince the Titans to trade Hopkins. It’s a fair price for an explosive playmaker, albeit one on the wrong side of 30 and in a contract year. The Saints could always explore an extension if Hopkins fairs well in New Orleans, too.