Will The Patriots Trade For DeAndre Hopkins? Is Hopkins A Good Fit For The Patriots?

Will The Patriots Trade For DeAndre Hopkins? Are the Patriots a good fit for DeAndre Hopkins? Read the 2023 NFL free agency outlook.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has had an excellent NFL career. The former first-round pick has 853 receptions for 11,298 receiving yards and 71 touchdowns in his 10-year career.

In 2020, the Houston Texans traded the star receiver to the Cardinals after seven years with the franchise. Hopkins has played well in Arizona, averaging six receptions on 9.1 targets for 77 receiving yards per game in 35 contests with the team.

However, the veteran receiver might have played his final game with the Cardinals. Reportedly, Arizona is open to trading Hopkins.

Will The Patriots Trade For DeAndre Hopkins?

The Patriots enter the offseason with a massive need at wide receiver. They are in the mix to add a veteran in the trade market, with the two top names being Hopkins and Brandin Cooks.

The Athletic's Chad Graff writes New England Patriots' top trade options at wideout at this point are "probably" Cardinals DeAndre Hopkins and Texans Brandin Cooks. pic.twitter.com/e9TNfqxwzG

— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) March 2, 2023

Last year, running back Rhamondre Stevenson led the team in receptions (69) and second in target (88). Meanwhile, Jakobi Meyers led the team in targets (96), receiving yards (804), and receiving touchdowns (six). Furthermore, the former North Carolina State receiver accounted for 42.9% of the touchdowns scored by a wide receiver last season.

Is DeAndre Hopkins A Good Fit For The Patriots?

Unfortunately for the Patriots, Meyers is a free agent this offseason and likely won’t return to New England. Furthermore, Nelson Agholor is a free agent this offseason. Meanwhile, DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne could be cap casualties. The Patriots would save $6.2 million in salary cap space by releasing Parker and $5.5 million by releasing Bourne.

That means New England could lose their top four wide receivers in one offseason. While the team has high hopes for last year’s second-round pick Tyquan Thornton, the Patriots must add a veteran wide receiver.

The good news for New England is Hopkins won’t cost them their first-round draft pick. Reportedly, the Cardinals are asking for a second-round pick in return for the star wide receiver. The Patriots’ second-round pick is 46th overall this year.

#Cardinals DeAndre Hopkins is expected to be traded.

The reported compensation desired is a 2nd rd pick. pic.twitter.com/kkSv9SQ7bH

— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) March 2, 2023

However, two things might keep New England from trading for Hopkins. The veteran receiver has a rocky history with new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien from their time together in Houston. More importantly, Hopkins has only two years left on his contract and reportedly wants a new deal this offseason. The Patriots might not want to give him the new contract and ruin a potential trade to New England.

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