After months of trade speculation, the Cardinals have decided to release all of DeAndre Hopkins’ wide receivers. Hopkins is now a free agent for the first time in his career and should receive interest from several teams. So we’re going to look at a few teams that should try to sign Hopkins for the 2023 season.
Hopkins said recently that he wants to go to a team with stable management. He says it’s something he hasn’t experienced since entering the league in 2013. Plus, Hopkins wants to play with a quarterback who really loves football.
“I’ve been through three or four grandmasters in my career, so I’m a stable manager,” Hopkins said. A QB who loves the game, a QB who brings everyone with him and pushes not only himself, but everyone around him. And great defense. Great defense wins championships.”
Hopkins has missed the last two seasons due to injury and suspension. However, when healthy, he’s still one of the best receivers in the league at age 31.
Hopkins is set to draw interest and recently listed five quarterbacks he’d like to catch the ball from. Plus, few teams could take that next step toward contention if they had an offensive player of Hopkins’ caliber.
Here are some teams that should try to sign Hopkins.
Buffalo Bills
Hopkins recently said he would like to catch passes from Bills quarterback Josh Allen. The Bills also have one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL. Additionally, Hopkins and Stefon Diggs will form one of the best receiving duos in the entire NFL.
Buffalo wants to win a Super Bowl and feels ready now. They’ve been close for the past three years, but they continue to fall short. A receiver like Hopkins could help them get over the hump and would provide another consistent weapon outside of Diggs.
Multiple Bills players are already recruiting Hopkins, including Von Miller. Miller also said that Hopkins wants to play in Buffalo.
“I talk to Hope all the time,” Miller said. “It’s kind of the same thing with OBJ [Odell Beckham Jr.], you just never know until you know. “Hope said he wants to be a Buffalo Bill, and you just don’t know until you get DeAndre Hopkins’ signature on the contract.”
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens and franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson have finally come to an agreement on a new contract this offseason. Now comes an opportunity for Baltimore to introduce another weapon to this Ravens offense.
The Ravens have already brought in Odell Beckham Jr., they expect Rashod Bateman to return from injury and drafted Zay Flowers in the first round of this year’s draft. Adding Hopkins would give Jackson the most weapons he’s ever had in his career.
Jackson won the MVP back in 2019 for going 900 yards without a receiver. Now he has a chance to make one of the most potent passing attacks in the league if they can find a way to add Hopkins.
Hopkins also said Jackson is one of the quarterbacks he wants to play with and that he doesn’t get enough respect for his ability to throw the ball.
If the Ravens can find a way to sign Hopkins, they could find their way to the top of the division and possibly the top of the conference.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are ready to compete now. They tasted the playoffs last season, but blew a huge lead to the Jaguars in the at-large card round. However, they feel they are ready to make some noise in the FFA.
The Chargers know they must build a high-powered offense to compete with division rivals the Kansas City Chiefs. With Justin Herbert as their franchise quarterback, Austin Ekeler in the backfield and a trio of wide receivers, Hopkins would add a lot to an already talented offense.
If they sign Hopkins, the Chargers would undoubtedly have the top three receivers in the league. Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Hopkins gave opposing quarterbacks nightmares.
If the Chargers want to take that next step in the AFC, they should definitely try to sign Hopkins to an already dangerous offense.
Detroit Lions
The Lions made a late-season run that nearly overshadowed their postseason run. Now they feel they are ready to make some real noise in the NFC.
Head coach Dan Campbell has created a culture in Detroit that his players have bought into. Also, quarterback Jared Goff is coming off a pro bowl season. The Lions have realistic aspirations of competing for the NFC North title in 2023.
Lions are an interesting team. They are a young, hungry team that would greatly benefit from a receiver of Hopkins’ caliber. When young receiver Jameson Williams returns from suspension, Hopkins will form a nice trio with Williams and pro bowler Amon-Ra St. brown
Hopkins said he wants stable management, and that’s something Detroit isn’t used to seeing. However, Dan Campbell has bought the Lions and is now ready to compete. Hopkins could be the player they need to help them take that next step.
New York Giants
The Giants are a team that most people don’t expect to make the playoffs in 2022. However, they won a playoff game and have high expectations for the 2023 season.
The team showed its commitment to quarterback Daniel Jones by signing him to a huge contract. Additionally, they licensed Saquon Barkley and traded for Darren Waller. However, they still need a legitimate number one receiver on the outside.
Hopkins will fit that role and help New York compete in the NFC. They have a great defense, a great head coach and had one of the best rushing attacks last season. They could make some serious noise, especially in their own division, if they improve their offense.
That’s a big reason why they should be one of the teams trying to sign Hopkins.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles came very close to winning the Lombardi Cup last season. This is a team loaded on both sides of the ball and looking to get back on the big stage. That being said, the addition of Hopkins can only make this offense even scarier.
The trio of Hopkins, AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith could have quarterback Jalen Hurts smiling from ear to ear. Hopkins also said he would like to play with Hurts, and Hurts is a quarterback that fits what Hopkins is looking for.
Hurts loves soccer and has a work ethic that his teammates notice and follow. By adding a player of Hopkins’ caliber, they could very well see themselves in the Super Bowl, perhaps with a different outcome than last time.
If the Eagles want to prove last season wasn’t a fluke, they should be one of the teams looking to sign Hopkins.