The Arizona Cardinals surprisingly released DeAndre Hopkins after being unable to find a trade suitor for the former All-Pro.
DeAndre Hopkins previous no-trade clause was dropped after he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs prior to the 2022 season. Hopkins was suspended for six games, and had 717 receiving yards and three touchdowns in nine games. Considering his previous production — which included a 1,400-yard season with Arizona and two 1,500-yard seasons with Houston — the last few years have been lackluster.
Hopkins made several cryptic comments suggesting he was on the outs in Arizona. It was a rather open secret that the Cardinals shopped him during the NFL Draft. Even with reports that the two sides had rekindled, a trade seemed likely.
Apparently, Arizona didn't like the offers they got, releasing Hopkins onto the open market.
NFL Rumors: Detroit Lions are a good fit for DeAndre Hopkins
A dark horse fit for Hopkins is the Detroit Lions, who have revived the football culture in MoTown. Alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, Hopkins could help form an elite receiving trio. The Lions drafted Jahmyr Gibbs and signed David Montgomery, as well, giving them one of the best skill-position groups in football.
Adding Hopkins to the mix, especially if he can regain his 2021 form, would give Jared Goff more weapons than he knows what to do with.
Hopkins recently listed a number of quarterbacks he'd be interested in playing for on the 'I Am Athlete' podcast. Goff was nowhere on that list, though he could be in the Lions long-term plans. Goff made a Super Bowl appearance with the Los Angeles Rams, and he's steadily improved during his time with the Lions.
With another No. 1 target alongside St. Brown, there's no telling how many points this Lions offense can put up on a per-game basis.
NFL Rumors: Buffalo Bills should sign DeAndre Hopkins
About that list I referred to in the previous slide — Hopkins did mention Josh Allen as a quarterback he'd prefer to play for, so the Buffalo Bills already have a leg up on the competition. Sean McDermott has praised Allen's commitment this offseason, saying he's taken a step forward in his development.
"I just think Josh taking his game to another level really means being a great decision-maker," McDermott said, per Pro Football Talk. "We've talked about before this offseason — and it's been talked about — adjusting his style of play enough to keep himself healthy and to play smarter at times as well. And then I just think the overall approach to the game, I've seen a different Josh this offseason. Not that it was bad before, but he's got a new sense of focus, I would say, and determination — which is good."
Allen and the Bills are coming off a disappointing postseason, in which they lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Divisional Round. After that game, Allen's top target Stefon Diggs was mentioned in trade rumors, as well. Adding a player like Hopkins serves two purposes, then. First, Diggs will be thrilled to get more help on the outside. Second, it allows Buffalo some Diggs insurance just in case he remains unhappy in training camp and beyond.
NFL Rumors: Chiefs should sign DeAndre Hopkins
What wide receiver wouldn't want to play with Patrick Mahomes?
Mahomes is the best quarterback in football, and they need a new No. 1 wide receiver. Sure, Mahomes made JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman and Co. look good last season — proving once and for all that he doesn't need Tyreek Hill — but wouldn't it be nice to have a player like Hopkins at his disposal? Just imagine the play concepts Andy Reid could design!
Per FanSided's Kristen Wong, the KC fit makes too much sense for a player like Hopkins:
"Hopkins was widely speculated to be traded to the Chiefs earlier this offseason after Kansas City lost Mecole Hardman and JuJu Smith-Schuster. An injury-prone veteran like Hopkins could still make an explosive impact on the Chiefs roster, especially considering the fact that Patrick Mahomes would be throwing him deep balls all season long."
Brett Veach might have to do some salary cap gymnastics to add Hopkins to the fold, or perhaps the former All-Pro will take less money for a chance at a Lombardi Trophy.
For now, KC's wide receiver depth chart is fully of Swiss-army knife types, such as Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but Hopkins really would be one of a kind of their roster.
