Like every offseason, several blockbuster names will be dealt. Quarterbacks that could be on the move will headline the news over the next several months, but another name everyone around the league will have their eyes on is DeAndre Hopkins, as it looks as if his time in Arizona is coming to an end.
Sources: #AZCardinals plan to try and trade All-Pro WR DeAndre Hopkins this offseason. DHop has 2 yrs and $34.36M left on his contract and is likely to seek a new deal. Owner Michael Bidwill plans to express this to GM candidates.
My story, via @theScore: https://t.co/xX8NHkULYH
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 10, 2023
The four-time Pro-Bowler will be 31 next year, but he hasn’t lost a step yet. In just nine games this season following a suspension, he caught 64 balls for 717 yards, some of which came without Kyler Murray. Hopkins remains one of the best wide receivers in the business and has two years remaining on his contract.
The Falcons offense isn’t the team’s weakest link. They need help on all three levels of the defense, but there are some offensive areas that could use some bolstering — wide receiver being one of them.
Outside of Drake London and Kyle Pitts, the Falcons don’t have many reliable pass catchers. They desperately need to add a true threat across from London, and Hopkins would be a tremendous piece that one of Atlanta’s leaders in the locker room is already pleading for.
https://twitter.com/ceeflashpee84/status/1613293798209081370
On paper, I love the idea of adding DeAndre Hopkins to pair with London and Pitts. Combine those three with their rushing attack, and the Falcons would have the makings of something special. However, for other reasons, I see Terry Fontenot and company having very little interest in Hopkins.
For starters, Atlanta just traded away Julio Jones at the same point in his career. Hopkins hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen in the near future. Very few receivers sustain superstar levels of production after the age of 30, and oftentimes, the decline is swift and unforgiving, just as it was with Julio Jones.
The timeline also doesn’t make sense for the Falcons. This team isn’t a receiver away from becoming Super Bowl contenders. They don’t even know who their quarterback will be next year. Acquiring a high-profile wide receiver while the team is still in rebuild mode is not a wise use of assets.
I agree with Patterson. DeAndre Hopkins to the Falcons would be fun to watch, but that’s not how Terry Fontenot should be making his decisions.
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Photo: Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire
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