The Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl without a star wide receiver, but they could reportedly make an elite offense even scarier by acquiring DeAndre Hopkins.
NFL insider Benjamin Albright told PHNX Cardinals that Kansas City is the "primary suitor" for Hopkins. He doesn't know the draft compensation the Cardinals would receive, but he said it's more likely they get a second-round pick than a first.
After the 2022 season, theScore's Jordan Schultz reported that the Cardinals plan to trade Hopkins this offseason.
Arizona hired a new general manager and head coach after a disappointing four-win season, and Hopkins is set to make $19.45 million (with a $30.75 million cap hit) in 2023. The Cardinals could seek a clean slate by moving the three-time All-Pro wideout, who turns 31 in June.
Hopkins began his Cardinals career by tallying 1,407 yards and six touchdowns in 2020. However, multiple lower body injuries limited him to 10 games in 2021, and he served a six-game suspension to start the 2022 season for violating the NFL's PED policy.
Yet he remains an impact player when on the field. Hopkins totaled 474 receiving yards in six full games with quarterback Kyler Murray last season.
Now imagine what he can accomplish when catching passes from Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs flourished without a star replacement for Tyreek Hill, but they could still benefit by solidifying the position this offseason. JuJu Smith-Schuster is a free agent after garnering 78 catches for 933 yards on a one-year deal. The depth chart features several talented question marks in Mecole Hardman, Kadarius Toney, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Adding Hopkins could be great news for Kansas City, but terrible for all opposing defenses.
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Originally Posted by dlphg9:
Hopkins isn't a top 10-15 WR. That's outlandish. If he was, then teams wouldn't have a problem trading a 2nd and taking on the cap hit, because that'd be really cheap for an elite receiver.
I'm willing to bet someone $100 that he doesn't even get to 700 yards next year.
Originally Posted by dlphg9:
Hopkins isn't a top 10-15 WR. That's outlandish. If he was, then teams wouldn't have a problem trading a 2nd and taking on the cap hit, because that'd be really cheap for an elite receiver.
I'm willing to bet someone $100 that he doesn't even get to 700 yards next year.
So you think his production will fall off 50%? Had 700 yards in only 9 games this year. [Reply]
Originally Posted by dlphg9:
Hopkins isn't a top 10-15 WR. That's outlandish. If he was, then teams wouldn't have a problem trading a 2nd and taking on the cap hit, because that'd be really cheap for an elite receiver.
I'm willing to bet someone $100 that he doesn't even get to 700 yards next year.
If he's healthy he gets that by week 12... [Reply]
Originally Posted by Dante84:
Again - disagree. He’s definitely at least a top 15 WR.
The reason teams aren’t trading for him is a combination of 3 variables:
- Contract price
- Draft compensation
- Age
His talent isnt in question. The risk/price of trading for him is.
Biggest issue for the Chiefs will continue to be the first two. I’m sure they’d take him if the Cardinals paid half his salary. But if they did do that and essentially were buying a draft pick I think they want more than Veach is willing to give up on a rental.
We have too many solid players who are going to get paid or deserve to get paid in the next year (Jones, Sneed, Bolton, Creed) that paying any receiver that much likely won’t work. [Reply]
