With lower than two weeks till the 2023 NFL Draft, the DeAndre Hopkins commerce saga stays an ongoing affair. Whereas the Arizona Cardinals‘ preliminary asking worth for Hopkins was reportedly a second-round decide and alter, there’s little to no likelihood they’ll obtain that kind of bundle.
Actually, it’s completely potential that the Cardinals have to finish up releasing Hopkins somewhat than buying and selling him. As they embark on a rebuild, Arizona is in no place to roster a 31-year-old receiver with a $19.45 million base wage in 2023.
Both approach, the most recent rumors surrounding Hopkins have tied to him two potential suitors: the Buffalo Payments and the Baltimore Ravens.
Von Miller Says DeAndre Hopkins Desires To Be a part of the Payments
Rely the Payments among the many groups that may’t afford Hopkins’ wage with out some kind of restructure. Buffalo has simply $5.5 million in wage cap area, in order that they’d want Hopkins to both conform to a pay reduce or rework his deal.
Nonetheless, all the small print apart, the Payments might doubtlessly be fascinated by including Hopkins to their already-explosive offense. And Buffalo edge rusher Von Miller says Hopkins is fascinated by turning into his teammate.
“I discuss to Hop on a regular basis, and it’s form of like the identical factor with OBJ,” Miller mentioned, in accordance with the Buffalo Information. “You simply by no means know till you already know. Hop mentioned he needed to be a Buffalo Invoice, and also you by no means know till you get that DeAndre Hopkins signature on a contract.
“I’m undecided what the circumstances are or what’s happening with that, however I might like to see DeAndre Hopkins be right here, and I might like to have his ability set on our offense with Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs and Dawson Knox and Gabe Davis.”
MORE: FREE Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
Hopkins not too long ago appeared on the All Issues Coated podcast and indicated he’d be prepared to affix the Payments or the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs however not the New England Patriots or New York Jets. Whereas Hopkins’ no-trade clause was voided when he was suspended for performance-enhancing medicine, his exorbitant contract offers him de facto management over his subsequent touchdown spot.
Requested concerning the Hopkins-to-Buffalo rumors on the Scouting Mix, Payments normal supervisor Brandon Beane downplayed his membership’s curiosity.
“Our title will get thrown within the hat on loads of issues that generally we’ve accomplished one %,” Beane mentioned. “One particular person made one name, they usually’ve looped us in that we’re throughout him, and we’ve provided him a contract. It’s humorous generally.”
Ravens May Be a Suitor For Hopkins
In the meantime, the Ravens may nonetheless be trying to find vast receivers even after signing Odell Beckham Jr. Showing on The Pat McAfee Present on Tuesday, former NFL cornerback Pacman Jones mentioned that Hopkins to Baltimore “might nonetheless occur.”
Jones isn’t precisely a reporter, however he’s shut with Hopkins. In March, he listed the Ravens amongst 5 groups that may very well be fascinated by Hopkins, together with the Payments, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons.
Baltimore is in an excellent worse cap state of affairs than the Payments. In the event that they acquired Hopkins, they’d doubtless have to remodel his deal, doubtlessly including a number of void years as they did with Beckham.
MORE: Lamar Jackson Reportedly Turned Down Staggering Sum
Have been the Ravens to land Hopkins, it might all however guarantee Lamar Jackson would play for the membership in 2023, both beneath the phrases of his franchise tag or on a long-term deal. Jackson reportedly recruited OBJ to Baltimore, and it appears unlikely that Hopkins would agree to affix the Ravens until he was assured Lamar could be the crew’s quarterback.
Baltimore’s vast receiver state of affairs was abysmal final season. With Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay each hampered by accidents, profession NFL journeyman Demarcus Robinson ended up because the Ravens’ main vast receiver.
Whereas Baltimore doubtless overpaid for Beckham, he’s a reputable NFL vast receiver. If the Ravens can land Hopkins and provides Jackson a pass-catching depth chart that additionally consists of OBJ, Bateman, and tight finish Mark Andrews and is coordinated by first-year play-caller Todd Monken, they might shortly develop into one of many extra formidable offenses within the league.
