There is a growing consensus that the Arizona Cardinals will eventually move DeAndre Hopkins. So who are the likeliest teams to trade for the star receiver?
Word has it that the DeAndre Hopkins sweepstakes are intensifying as executives from all 32 teams meet at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Hopkins, despite heading into his 11th season, has shown time and again that he’s more than capable of playing at an elite level.
The teams listed below are all looking for a star player on offense to help catapult them to the next level. Our top two listed could use Hopkins to help launch their team another rung or two up the playoff ladder.
The third team on this list is looking to solidify themselves as a dynasty, while the fourth and fifth teams are on the outside looking in. So who do we have on our list? Keep reading for more.
5 teams who could call the Arizona Cardinals for DeAndre Hopkins
1 - Dallas Cowboys
With so much uncertainty regarding the Cowboys with the likes of Tony Pollard, Dalton Schultz, and Noah Brown becoming potential free agents, the door has opened for potential trade talks with the Arizona Cardinals. While Dallas may re-sign all three of the above names, they’re still lacking that one player capable of getting them to the NFC Championship Game.
Trading a first round pick for Hopkins would allow him to step right into the lineup and play on the same offense as CeeDee Lamb. And that could make for a dangerous duo in Dallas.
2 - Buffalo Bills
Buffalo’s situation is much like the one the Cowboys are facing. They are missing just one puzzle piece on offense to get them back to the AFC Championship, and Hopkins could slide right in opposite of Stefon Diggs to create a lethal one-two combo in the Queen City.
Also like the Cowboys, the Bills could give the Arizona Cardinals a first round pick in exchange for Hopkins’ services. For Monti Ossenfort, such a trade would be a no-brainer.
3 - Kansas City Chiefs
Unlike the Bills and Cowboys, the Kansas City Chiefs are looking to forge a dynasty. Having won two Super Bowls in the last four seasons, they are well on their way, and Hopkins’ presence would raise the level of probability that they dominate again next season.
Like Buffalo and Dallas, expect the Chiefs to give the Arizona Cardinals a first round pick for Hopkins. And given the position Kansas City is in, this will be an easy tradeoff.
4 - Denver Broncos
The Broncos don’t have an early round pick to give to the Cardinals, but they do have other assets that could entice Ossenfort. If the Broncos were to move a player like Courtland Sutton or Jerry Jeudy for the more established Hopkins, Ossenfort needs to listen in on this one.
No, acquiring players won’t give the Cardinals an early draft pick that they might want for Hopkins. But it will infuse the Cards with some younger talent who can play in the desert over the next four to five seasons. Overall, it wouldn’t be a bad offer.
5 - Cleveland Browns
DeShaun Watson’s presence in Cleveland is a major reason the Browns could be interested in calling up the Arizona Cardinals. Between 2017 and 2019, Watson and Hopkins were teammates with the Houston Texans, and the two were one of the NFL’s best quarterback-receiver duos.
The Browns don’t have a first round pick to give, but they could swap the 42nd overall pick and a Day Three selection to Arizona for the rights to acquire Hopkins. This is rumored to be the Cards asking price, so if that’s the case, they should have no qualms with sending Hopkins to Cleveland.
As you can tell, this updated list is a far cry from what the original list looked like. But with recent news and rumors swirling, the five teams listed above, at this point, have the best chance to land Deandre Hopkins. More teams can land on this list later if the Cards don’t strike a deal to move their star receiver, so stay tuned for further updates.