We can probably cross off two teams from the DeAndre Hopkins sweepstakes at this time.
With former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins still a free agent, don’t expect for contending teams like the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants to drop whatever they are doing and sign the former All-Pro.
While the G-Men semi-inserted themselves into the Hopkins race, it seems to be more of the empty-calorie variety with head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen at least doing their due diligence on the guy. Or that’s the impression that Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano seems to be getting out the Giants. They’ve already added tight end Darren Waller this offseason.
As far as the Cowboys are concerned, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports Dallas isn’t likely to sign Hopkins, but head coach Mike McCarthy thinks he is a heck of a player. The Cowboys could use another wide receiver, but they have kind of been shuffling chairs in trying to keep its strong offense afloat, while also losing key players. They also released Ezekiel Elliott earlier this spring.
Of the potential teams to sign Hopkins, who could make the most sense and where should he go?
DeAndre Hopkins rumors: Multiple teams seemingly back out of sweepstakes
Of the handful of teams still in the mix to add Hopkins, four teams stand out. Two of which are serious Super Bowl contenders, but with limited cap space. The other two have a bit more capital to work with, but are really only playoff contenders. I am talking about the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs in the first two and the Cleveland Browns and the Detroit Lions with the latter.
It makes sense for the Bills and Chiefs to be in on Hopkins, despite lack of cash flow. Buffalo needs to make up ground in a deep AFC, so it can be better than teams like the Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals. As far as Kansas City is concerned, this might be the weakest receiving corps the Chiefs have had in some time, or really since Patrick Mahomes took over as their franchise quarterback.
When it comes to Cleveland, Hopkins said he would be open to reuniting with his former Houston Texans teammate and fellow Clemson alum Deshaun Watson. Together, they might help the Browns achieve their greatest level of sustained success since coming back as an expansion franchise in 1999. However, I feel strongly that the Lions are the best landing spot for Hopkins.
Detroit is a team that might be favored to win its division. The Lions are surprisingly competent of late. Not saying they will be winning multiple playoff games this year, but hosting one at home and winning it is certainly an attainable goal for them. Jared Goff may not be the best quarterback in the NFL, but he throws a beautiful spiral and was a former No. 1 pick who started in a Super Bowl.
Overall, we are just going to have to bide our time and wait for Hopkins to make his decision sometime before training camp commences. It serves him to leave no stone unturned in finding his third professional team to play for. While I don’t think he would make a bad choice with any of the four teams I mentioned, I would probably sign with Detroit first and then Kansas City second.
If Hopkins can play like he did a few years back, he can definitely get his new team over the top.