Six teams that should try to sign free agent DeAndre Hopkins

After months of trade speculation, the Cardinals decide to release all-pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Now, Hopkins is a free agent for the first time in his career and should receive interest from a handful of teams. So, we’re going to look at some teams that should try to sign Hopkins for the 2023 season.

Hopkins recently said that he wants to go to a team with stable management. He says that is something he hasn’t experienced since entering the league back in 2013. In addition, Hopkins wants to play with a quarterback who really loves the game of football.

“I’ve been through three or four GMs in my career, so a stable management,” said Hopkins. A QB who loves the game, a QB who brings everybody on board with him and pushes not just himself but everybody around him. And a great defense. A great defense wins championships.”

Hopkins has missed time the past two seasons due to injury and suspension. However, when healthy, he is still one of the top receivers in the league at age 31.

Hopkins is going to generate interest and recently listed five quarterbacks he would love to catch the ball from. In addition, multiple teams could take that next step toward contention if they had an offensive player of Hopkins’ caliber.

Here are some teams that should try to sign Hopkins.

Buffalo Bills

Hopkins recently said that he would love to catch passes from Bills quarterback Josh Allen. The Bills also have one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL. In addition, Hopkins and Stefon Diggs would create one of the best receiver duos in the entire NFL.

Buffalo wants to win a Super Bowl and feels they are ready now. They’ve been close over the last three years but continue to fall short. A receiver like Hopkins could help take them over the hump and would provide another consistent weapon outside of Diggs.

Multiple Bills players are already recruiting Hopkins including Von Miller. Miller has also said that Hopkins wants to play for Buffalo.

“I talk to Hop all the time,” Miller said. “It’s kind of like the same thing with OBJ [Odell Beckham Jr.], you just never know until you know. Hop said he wanted to be a Buffalo Bill, and you just never know until you get that DeAndre Hopkins signature on the contract.”

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens and franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson finally reached an agreement on a new contract this offseason. Now, the opportunity presents itself for Baltimore to bring in another weapon to this Ravens offense.

The Ravens already brought in Odell Beckham Jr, they expect to get Rashod Bateman back from injury and drafted Zay Flowers in the first round of this year’s draft. With that being said, adding Hopkins would give Jackson the most weapons he’s ever had in his career.

Jackson won MVP back in 2019 without having a receiver go over 900 yards receiving. Now, he has the opportunity to run one of the most potent passing attacks in the league if they find a way to add Hopkins to the mix.

Hopkins also said Jackson is one of the quarterbacks he wants to play with and that he doesn’t get enough respect for his ability to throw the ball.

If the Ravens can find a way to sign Hopkins, they could find their way back to the top of the division and perhaps the top of the conference.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers are ready to compete now. They got a taste of the playoffs last season but blew a huge lead to the Jaguars in the wild-card round. However, they feel they are ready to make noise in the AFC.

The Chargers know they need to build a high-powered offense to compete with division rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs. With Justin Herbert as their franchise quarterback, Austin Ekeler in the backfield, and a trio of wide receivers, Hopkins would add a lot to an already talented offense.

If they sign Hopkins, the Chargers would arguably have the best trio of receivers in the league. Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Hopkins would give opposing defenses nightmares.

If the Chargers want to take that next step in the AFC, they should definitely try to sign Hopkins to an already dangerous offense.

Detroit Lions

The Lions made a late-season run that almost snuck them into the postseason. Now, they feel they are ready to make some real noise in the NFC.

Head coach Dan Campbell has built a culture in Detroit that his players have bought into. In addition, quarterback Jared Goff is coming off a pro bowl season. The Lions have realistic aspirations of competing for an NFC North title in 2023.

The Lions are an interesting team. They are a young, hungry team that would benefit greatly from a receiver of Hopkins’ caliber. Once young receiver Jameson Williams returns from suspension, Hopkins would form a nice trio with Williams and pro bowler Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Hopkins said he wants to stable management and that’s something Detroit hasn’t been used to seeing. However, Dan Campbell has the Lions bought in and ready to compete now. Hopkins could be a player they need to help them take that next step.

New York Giants

The Giants are a team not a lot of people expected to make the playoffs in 2022. However, they won a playoff game and have high expectations going into the 2023 season.

The team showed its commitment to quarterback Daniel Jones, inking him to a massive contract. In addition they franchise tagged Saquon Barkley and traded for tight end Darren Waller. However, they still need a legit number-one receiver on the outside.

Hopkins would fit that role and help New York compete in the NFC. They have a great defense, a great head coach, and had one of the best rushing attacks last season. They could make some serious noise, especially in their divisions if they improve their passing offense.

That is a big reason they need to be one of the teams that attempts to sign Hopkins.

Philadephia Eagles

The Eagles were very close to walking away with the Lombardi trophy last season. This is a team that is loaded on both sides of the ball and wants to get back to the big stage. With that being said, adding Hopkins can only make this offense even scarier.

A trio of Hopkins, AJ Brown, and DeVonta Smith would have quarterback Jalen Hurts smiling from ear to ear. Hopkins also said he would like to play with Hurts, and Hurts is a quarterback that fits what Hopkins is looking for.

Hurts loves football and has a work ethic that his teammates notice and follow. By adding a player of Hopkins’s caliber, they could very well see themselves back in the Super Bowl, maybe with a different outcome than last time.

If the Eagles want to prove that last season wasn’t a fluke, they should be one of the teams looking to sign Hopkins.

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