Last Friday, the Arizona Cardinals released WR DeAndre Hopkins, ending his stage with the team where he played 35 games in three years.
DeAndre Hopkins has 11,298 receiving yards, second among all wide receivers since joining the league in 2013, and 71 receiving touchdowns, fourth among all receivers during the same span. Hopkins was set to have a cap hit of $30.8 million next season, which would have been the most among NFL receivers.
Hopkins missed seven games in 2021 due to a hamstring injury and served a six-game suspension in 2022 for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
The star wide receiver turns 31 on June 6. He's looking for one more shot at winning the Super Bowl, and he has been linked with a few potential suitors to do so. He also mentioned a few names from which he would like to catch a pass.
After being released by the Cardinals, we properly look at the best teams for the star wide receiver this season.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills are the current favorites to land the star wide receiver at +300. Hopkins could be the missing piece of a championship-caliber offense and he's intrigued by the idea of playing with Josh Allen. They are ready to compete for a Super Bowl and have been one of the most dominant teams in the NFL. However, there is no legit receiving threat after Stefon Diggs in that offense, and that WR combination would become an immediate threat to opposing defenses.
Kansas City Chiefs
If Hopkins is looking to increase his value, continue to be a WR1, and get a ring, there is no better team than the Kansas City Chiefs. When JuJu Smith-Schuster was on the team, he wasn't even a true WR1. Even with him on the team, Hopkins would take the WR1 role immediately. The only problem for the Chiefs is cap space. They have over $1 million available in the salary cap, but Hopkins may take the discount to play with Mahomes.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens just extended their franchise QB Lamar Jackson. In addition, the team addressed its offensive weapon issues by signing WR Odell Beckham Jr. and drafting Boston College WR Zay Flowers. If Hopkins agrees to a deal with the Baltimore Ravens, Jackson would have one of the best pass-catching arsenals in the entire league in 2023. The team currently has $11.8 million of cap space, so there is a possibility to make a move without any crazy cap space restructure.
New England Patriots
We could see a potential reunion with now Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien. Hopkins finished his tenure in Houston in a lousy situation with his former coach, but the Patriots are searching for another pass-catcher to help Mac Jones. Hopkins and Smith-Schuster would be a good WR duo, and it sounds attractive for Hopkins to play for Bill Belichick.
Cleveland Browns
Earlier in the week, a report addressed a rumor suggesting that the free-agent wide receiver would be open to reuniting with former teammate Deshaun Watson in Cleveland. However, the Browns have around $4.5 million available in cap space, and the team still needs better weapons alongside Amari Cooper. Hopkins' addition will improve their passing attack and allow them to compete with a loaded offensive talent in the AFC.
Should sign with the Bills