DeAndre HopkinsNorm Hall/Getty Images
Last year we saw the wide receiver market explode as Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams and AJ Brown signed over $25 million in deals with new clubs following blockbuster trades. Cooper Kupp, Stefon Diggs, DK Metcalf, Deebo Samuel, Terry McLaurin, DJ Moore, Chris Godwin, and Mike Williams have also inked renewals for $20 million or more a year.
In the upcoming offseason, JuJu Smith-Schuster could be the biggest name to hit the open market in a mediocre free-agent class of wide receivers. As a result, a high-profile wideout wanting a new deal could command a lot in contract negotiations.
According to The Score’s Jordan Schultz, the Cardinals are planning to trade wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and he will “probably be pursuing a new deal.”
Hopkins posted a photo of himself on Instagram with the caption “forever grateful,” which could indicate he expects to play elsewhere next season. Remember, Arizona fired head coach Kliff Kingsbury and general manager Steve Keim stepped down to focus on his health.
Hopkins has two years left on his contract, and his deal puts a $30.8 million cap next season on Over the Cap. A team interested in the receiver can sign him for an extension and lower his cap hit for 2023 on a modified pact.
In 2022, Hopkins served a six-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, but still caught 64 passes for 717 yards and three touchdowns with a 66.7 percent catch percentage in nine games (missed two games with a knee injury). He ranked 10th in the league for yards received per contest (79.7).
Beginning his tenure at age 31, Hopkins should have a decent market, especially teams flushed with cap space or playoff clubs, and the New York Giants make the most sense.
Already a playoff team, the Giants can look back on an impressive first year under head coach Brian Daboll. Big Blue can land Hopkins to replace Kenny Golladay, who failed on his $72 million, four-year contract as Daniel Jones’ burly (6’4″, 213 lbs) security blanket receiver.
Big Blue could try to trade Golladay and if no team bites because of his contract, the front office can trade him as a cut after 1st June.
As a physical perimeter receiver, Hopkins would complement versatile rookie wideout Wan’Dale Robinson, who tore his cruciate ligament in November, and slot receiver Sterling Shepard, who tore his cruciate ligament in September. He would likely become first choice and support the development of 24-year-old Isaiah Hodgins.
That season, the Giants ranked 26th in passing yards; They badly need another playmaker to boost their air attack.