Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is one of the top players who’s expected to be traded this offseason, and league executives view two AFC clubs as potential suitors.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler spoke to multiple NFL executives to get their predictions on offseason player movements. One NFC executive explained to Fowler that they view the New New England Patriots as a good fit for the 30-year-old.
“That would be interesting to pair Bill O’Brien with Hopkins if O’Brien ends up with the Patriots OC job,” the executive said. “They might not be friendly. But they had success together with subpar quarterback play, so maybe it can work.”
The Baltimore Ravens have also been mentioned as a potential suitor for Hopkins, per Fowler:
“Another team mentioned is Baltimore. In Hopkins, the Ravens would be getting a true vertical threat for Lamar Jackson, who many coaches say needs a rangy target. If Baltimore is serious about keeping Jackson, it’s time to get him more firepower on the outside.”
On Tuesday, the Patriots announced that they had brought back O’Brien to serve as the offensive coordinator. O’Brien, of course, was the head coach and de facto GM of the Texans when Hopkins was traded to Arizona in the 2020 offseason.
Hopkins, a five-time Pro Bowler, was suspended for the first six games of the 2022 season, and he missed the final two games. In nine regular season consists, he recorded 64 receptions for 717 yards and three touchdowns.
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Hopkins was also limited to 10 games in the 2021 season. From 2014 to 2020, Hopkins hit 1,000 yards six times (the exception being the 2016 season, when he had 954). Needless to say, there shouldn’t be a shortage of teams interested in the perennial Pro Bowler.
