Patriots, Chiefs, Bills amongst groups that might indication DeAndre Hopkins after his release

DeAndre Hopkins is a complimentary representative. In late May.

Who’d have believed?

The Arizona Cardinals launched the star receiver in a bit of a surprise relocation on Friday. They appeared interested in trading him — then, by draft day, they appeared unenthusiastic in trading him. It appears they overplayed their hand, waiting for the right trade plan that neverever came. And eventually, the Cardinals and Hopkins haveactually gone their different methods.

Now, Hopkins will have the opportunity to pick his next landing area. And he’ll have no scarcity of suitors. He might be 30 years old, however he stays one of the leading receivers in the NFL, even if he is no longer the leading wideout. So let’s dive into where he may go for 2023 (and beyond).

New England Patriots

New England is anticipated to getin the mix, per a source close to the scenario. The Patriots hadactually been interested in Hopkins, however couldn’t get anything done with Arizona’s trade needs and the receiver’s agreement. Now that he’s a totallyfree representative, it modifications the circumstance. Maybe he and Bill O’Brien would requirement to sort out their distinctions from Houston. But Hopkins would quickly be the No. 1 choice for Mac Jones and the Patriots — a genuine game-changer for an offense that doesnothave one.

Buffalo Bills

Buffalo looked one-dimensional for most of 2022, with an over-reliance on the deep videogame and Josh Allen’s legs. Hopkins is an outright jump-ball warrior, however he’s likewise an exceptional belongings receiver at this point in his profession. He may not open up the fast videogame (which is why the Bills appear to haveactually prepared tight end Dalton Kincaid in Round 1), however Hopkins would bring a much-needed component to the offense.

New York Jets

Sensing a pattern here? Yes, most of the AFC East will be after Hopkins. Allen Lazard and Garrett Wilson are a strong 1-2 punch, however it’s not the exactsame as Wilson and Hopkins. That’s a entire various level of skill. So as the Jets shot to stockpile skill for Aaron Rodgers, Hopkins appears like a genuine alternative for them. Of course, it may upset DT Quinnen Williams, who is waitingfor a agreement extension. But possibly the Jets can get both things done.

[Quinnen Williams changes Twitter bio amid contract dispute with Jets]

New York Giants

Our veryfirst NFC group, the Giants couldn’t make things work with Kenny Golladay, a big-framed receiver who figured to supply the consistent danger of a huge play. So how about Hopkins? He and tight end Darren Waller would make for a engaging pairing, especially in the red zone. Hopkins is a heck of a lot muchbetter than the group in location in New York: Isaiah Hodgins, Darius Slayton, Parris Campbell. They all have prospective — however not a lot of production.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have a handful of little to mid-sized receivers. And none of them is a shown entity. That’s simply fine for Patrick Mahomes, who no longer requires a person like Tyreek Hill to win a champion. (See: Super Bowl LVII.) But if the Chiefs can get Hopkins, my bet is that they’re going to get Hopkins. He’d make their offense a lot muchbetter.

[Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes no longer needs a supporting cast. He creates one]

Baltimore Ravens

Why stop at Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers? The Ravens haveactually been restoring their getting corps with seriousness this offseason. They signed Beckham earlier this offseason and then prepared Flowers in the veryfirst round last month. 

It all has felt like a peace offering to Lamar Jackson, who lastly signed a agreement extension with the group this month. The reality is that we puton’t understand where Beckham will be physically in his injury healing procedure. And we wear’t understand how rapidly Flowers can make an effect. (This wasn’t viewed to be the most outstanding novice crop of wideouts.) So Hopkins can aid develop more certainty in a position group that, while revamped, has some stickingaround issues.

Detroit Lions

Speaking of unpredictability, the Lions are going to be without Jameson Williams for their veryfirst 6 videogames for breaking the league’s gaming policy. And we puton’t understand how great he’ll appearance when he comes back, offered that he hasactually taped simply one catch in the NFL. 

Detroit can stick with Marvin Jones and Amon-Ra St. Brown, however the Lions would appearance a entire lot muchbetter with Hopkins in the mix. He’d provide Jared Goff a genuine weapon to stretch defenses, which would ease the necessary running videogame, led by novice Jahmyr Gibbs and free-agent addition David Montgomery.

Prior to signingupwith FOX Sports as the AFC East pressreporter, Henry McKenna invested 7 years covering the Patriots for USA TODAY Sports Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Follow him on Twitter at @McKennAnalysis.