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 Detoxing:
Except run like that. OBJ is visibly a faster and twitchier player.
And yet still offers the same level of hands and route running. BUT DOESN'T COST DRAFT PICKS.
And his knee would have to be evaluated and green lit. That kinda goes w/o saying, doesn't it.
And again, the Chiefs could negotiate with OBJ on their terms. They don't have to trade picks for a guy and then get held hostage for a change in contract demands.
I will say OBJ fits our offense much more than Hopkins. Run first offenses and offenses that throw alot of fades, jump balls and force the ball into coverage fits D-Hop much better but he's just HOF talent and it's hard to ignore. OBJ also has went through phases where he was not useful. [Reply]
Trade MVS, gain $7M in cap
Trade CEH, gain $2M in cap
Don't resign JuJu, guessing what $15M?
Total: $24M
Trade for Hopkins IF he will agree to play on current contract: $19.45M
Sign OBJ to a 1 year deal: $18M
Total: $37.45M
$24M - $37.45M = $13.45M extra needed. Either sign Brown jr to an long term contract making 2023 cheap thus being able to afford OBJ OR trade Brown jr and draft his replacement for pennies on the dollar.
Kelce
Hopkins
OBJ
Toney
Moore
That looks like a "OK" receiving core! Win SB 58 and then worry about resign either OBJ or Hopkins if need be. [Reply]
Trade MVS, gain $7M in cap
Trade CEH, gain $2M in cap
Don't resign JuJu, guessing what $15M?
Total: $24M
Trade for Hopkins IF he will agree to play on current contract: $19.45M
Sign OBJ to a 1 year deal: $18M
Total: $37.45M
$24M - $37.45M = $13.45M extra needed. Either sign Brown jr to an long term contract making 2023 cheap thus being able to afford OBJ OR trade Brown jr and draft his replacement for pennies on the dollar.
Kelce
Hopkins
OBJ
Toney
Moore
That looks like a "OK" receiving core! Win SB 58 and then worry about resign either OBJ or Hopkins if need be.
Let’s really piss everyone off and restructure Mahomes of 34.40 mill roster bonus into signing bonus to save $27 mill lol [Reply]
Originally Posted by Balto:
All this talk about Hopkins and OBJ I think Veach could throw a curve ball and go after DJ Moore from the Panthers. Fits what Veach typically goes after and could be a perfect match for the offense.
Why would the Panthers trade him when they’re looking at QBs like Carr? They have a very legitimate shot to win that division. [Reply]
Originally Posted by TwistedChief:
I’ll maybe believe it when it’s literally anyone else reporting this than Albright. He’s in his own echo chamber with it.
Originally Posted by Detoxing:
Why are we assuming he won't? He'll have had ample time to heal.
Yeah, but when you're looking both WRs, we know for a fact that DHop is healthy and capable of playing. We don't know that about OBJ. ANd won't really know until he's been on the field for a few games. I mean, OBJ hasn't played a game in over a year.
Then there's the fact that OBJ wants a new contract and more $$$.
I'm inclined to believe that DH is the better option of the two, mostly from a health standpoint. [Reply]
Originally Posted by TwistedChief:
Why would the Panthers trade him when they’re looking at QBs like Carr? They have a very legitimate shot to win that division.
Yup your probably correct. It was just all the trade rumors and reports last season that could still come up is all. [Reply]
Ugh. DHop is this offseason's version of Allen Robinson. Only more a lot expensive and getting about as old as dirt. Except this time with the added PED issues as well.
Thank god that dumb shit with Allen Robinson didn't happen last year, and hopefully the Dhop dumb shit don't happen this year. [Reply]
Originally Posted by BWillie:
I will say OBJ fits our offense much more than Hopkins. Run first offenses and offenses that throw alot of fades, jump balls and force the ball into coverage fits D-Hop much better but he's just HOF talent and it's hard to ignore. OBJ also has went through phases where he was not useful.
We wouldn't be throwing fades and jump balls to DHop. DHop is an elite WR that will always be open with a QB with good/great ball placement.
The corner might be near him but he will win with leverage.