DeAndre Hopkins may be on the move in the near future. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports (via Twitter) that the Cardinals are attempting to include the veteran wideout (and the third overall pick in tonight’s draft) in a trade with the Titans which would involve pick No. 11.
However, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is throwing cold water on the rumors (via Twitter). While the Titans have indeed discussed a trade for Arizona’s No. 3 pick, Rapoport says the organization hasn’t discussed Hopkins with the Cardinals.
Hopkins has been rumored to be on the block for much of the offseason, with contenders like the Bills and Chiefs emerging as potential suitors. The main hanging point in negotiations has been Hopkins’ contract. The wideout is due a $19.45MM base salary in 2023 — a number both higher than his 2022 salary ($6.65MM) and his 2024 payment ($14.92MM). There have even been whispers that the veteran may want a raise as part of a trade, a factor that has probably cooled his trade market.
As a result, some pundits have wondered if the Cards may just cut Hopkins, freeing him up to sign anywhere. This previously rumored scenario would allow the Cardinals to save that $19.45MM — if they were to designate Hopkins as a post-June 1 cut. In a pre-draft trade (or any trade before June 1), the team would be hit with a $21.1MM dead-money charge.
Tennessee is a logical landing spot for any wide receiver, especially if the team intends to add a rookie QB in the draft. 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks was limited to only 444 receiving yards last season, while the rest of the depth chart is led by Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and 2022 fifth-round pick Kyle Phillips.
I’m sure the Titans would be sending back more than just the second rounder this year and the first rounder next year that I saw mocked in the deal for #3. It probably would include one in 2025 as well.
I guess Malik Willis can consider himself out of luck
Trade up to #3 and get D-Hop for #11 #72 and perhaps a 3rd or 4th rounder in next years draft? If the Titans take Stroud at #3 and add D-Hop it could be interesting. AZ would still get a solid 1st rounder, and add some much needed draft capital. Very interesting indeed.
Tennessee makes ZERO sense for Hopkins. For that kind of money to spend on a wr they’d need to be a legit co tender going all in! They’re far from that. Besides they don’t even have a legit qb throwing the football.
“the Cardinals are attempting to include the veteran wideout (and the third overall pick in tonight’s draft) in a trade with the Titans which would involve pick No. 11”
Ergo there are no other takers for D.Hop as evidenced by the market so far, so the Cards want him out in this deal for the Titans to trade up.
This trade makes a lot of sense from a GM perspective, i.e., Arizona rids themselves of a big contract and a malcontent, and Tennessee gets to pretend they are trying to compete in 2023 when they are really trying to tank – as they have nobody on the O-line who can pass block long enough to actually allow Tannehill to throw the football.
Don’t be surprised if Tennessee gives them Derrick Henry as a straight up swap.
Can’t understand this potential move for the Titans, traded away AJ Brown last year and now take back an older WR with a high cap hit