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 Megatron96:
And people seem to be forgetting that Murray's season ended in week 10 or 12. DHop had Colt McCoy, B. Rypien, And McSorley as his QBs for almost half the season.
Yep. I'm OK with a trade as long as it is less than a second round pick. If you can get him for a third (which is really almost a 4th being the last pick in the round), then I think it's a good deal. He still has a few good years left and Hopkins, Toney, Moore, MVS, Watson, and Ross? along with Kelce is a shit ton of weapons for Mahomes to work with. [Reply]
Originally Posted by ROYC75:
So what if JJSS wants to come back cheaper? We don't have to give up draft picks to get about the same production!
The same production? Hopkins would have way better production here than JJSS. He basically had JuJu's production last year in 9 games. It would also allow Skyy Moore to play almost exclusively in the slot where his quickness and route running is best suited for. You put Hopkins and Toney on the outside and Moore in the slot along with Kelce doing what he does and this offense is better than last year. [Reply]
You can either get another skyy moore or mecole hardman with a chance of them being a bit better, or you can get a garunteed deandre hopkins for 2-3 years.
Veach Im sure just keeping all options on the table while he negotiates with JJSS. If Juju leaves for more $ Im sure DHop becomes a realistic possibility. Kelce, DHop and Toney would absolutely tear defenses apart. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Wisconsin_Chief:
...This doesn't seem like a very Veach-like move.
Valid point, but neither did trading up into the 1st round to get a CB like we did last year. Before that happened everyone was sure Veach viewed CB as an afterthought, filling the position with whatever scraps he could get via trade, free agency, or mid-to-late round draft picks.
You never know what Veach has up his sleeve. [Reply]
Originally Posted by LoneWolf:
The same production? Hopkins would have way better production here than JJSS. He basically had JuJu's production last year in 9 games. It would also allow Skyy Moore to play almost exclusively in the slot where his quickness and route running is best suited for. You put Hopkins and Toney on the outside and Moore in the slot along with Kelce doing what he does and this offense is better than last year.
Personally, I don't see the extra $$, loss of draft picks for a Prima Donna that will have to learn the offense, is not the speedster he once was. He's nothing more in this offense as a procession guy, same as JJSS. There are other WR's that we must address on the staff.
We all know Reids offense is complicated for WR's & RB's that catch the ball. I'm leaning on Year 2 of MVS,Watson,Moore,Toney 7 JJSS can be more dynamic that this last year was while saving salary cap $$, draft capital allowing us to still focus on 2024.
Plus we don't know if the John Ross reclamation project will get any traction.
Personally, I just don't see this being a need if JJSS is really wanting to come back reasonable as it's been stated. Another solid back up/or starter from our 2nd or 3rd rd pick at a lower cap is much more valuable to me. [Reply]
I guarantee that Bert and co. are feeling their oats after the last couple drafts. I could see him moving to acquire MORE picks instead of flipping a premium one for a big-contract WR. [Reply]