Raising Zona
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Arizona Cardinals: What receivers make the cut?

By Kyler Burd

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 08: Larry Fitzgerald #11 and Christian Kirk #13 of the Arizona Cardinals pose for a picture during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 08: Larry Fitzgerald #11 and Christian Kirk #13 of the Arizona Cardinals pose for a picture during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 15:  DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Houston Texans breaks the huddle during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Texans defeated the Titans 24-21. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 15:  DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Houston Texans breaks the huddle during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Texans defeated the Titans 24-21. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

DeAndre Hopkins

Tom Brady to Tampa Bay might have been the biggest shakeup of the NFL world this offseason, but DeAndre Hopkins to the Cardinals has to be the biggest steal.

The 28 year old former Texan comes to Arizona in the prime of his career. The 4x Pro Bowler and 3x First Team-All Pro will have an immediate impact on an offense that looks set to explode in Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray‘s second season.

Hopkins has averaged 1,228 yards and almost 8 touchdowns a season in his 7 years as a pro. His hands, much like Larry Fitzgerald, are elite and in a 50/50 situation the bet should almost always be on Hopkins to bring the ball down. Also like Fitz, Hopkins has suffered through a slew of less than great quarterbacks while still having fantastic production.

This doesn’t even touch on his 457 first downs and his average of 13.6 yards per reception over his career. Numbers like this don’t pop up often and speak to how talented Hopkins really is. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that he is an elite wide receiver.

It is hard to imagine a situation where Hopkins leaves the field if he is healthy and the good news is that he has no history of significant injury. He only missed two games in Houston and one was a resting situation after the Texans had already qualified for the playoffs.

Debate has raged through the offseason about who the best wide receiver in the NFL is at the current moment. Consensus has three players in the conversation: Michael Thomas, Julio Jones, and DeAndre Hopkins. Whatever the true answer might be, having someone in that race on your team is always a true blessing.

Acquiring Hopkins was the marquee move of the Cardinals offseason and for good reason. Cardinals fans can now rest easy in the knowledge that the heir apparent to the great “Larry Legend” has arrived in Arizona.

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