We have now entered the second part of free company within the NFL. The primary wave of strikes is within the rearview mirror, and now groups are beginning to fill out their rosters forward of the NFL draft.

Nevertheless, there are nonetheless some very gifted gamers accessible, each in free company, and thru potential trades. Maybe the most important title out there may be that of Arizona Cardinals extensive receiver DeAndre Hopkins. A possible commerce for the veteran receiver has been mentioned all through the offseason, and in accordance with a latest report from Ian Rapoport of the NFL Community, commerce talks are “ramping up” amongst doubtlessly groups?

After all, as famous by Rapoport given Hopkins’ contract, there are monetary issues.

Nonetheless, he is among the prime receivers within the league, so there must be curiosity, even when the market is hampered by the scale of his deal.

What groups might be within the combine for his companies? Listed here are the highest contenders.

Chicago Bears

Having traded out of the first-overall choice, the Bears are making a push to construct round Justin Fields, at the very least for the 2023 season. Including extensive receiver D.J. Moore is a part of that push, however the Bears may nonetheless profit from a receiver like Hopkins. Hopkins’ skill to regulate to off-target throws, and make robust catches in visitors/in opposition to contact like this one in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings, is large for a younger quarterback like Fields:

Atlanta Falcons

Proper now, the Atlanta Falcons’ beginning extensive receivers are Drake London, Mack Hollins, and Josh Ali, in accordance with Ourlads.

Maybe an addition is so as.

There is likely to be some overlap in play kinds between London and Hopkins — and albeit tight finish Kyle Pitts, who usually aligns exterior and performs like an enormous WR — however much like the dialogue round Fields and the Bears, Hopkins provides a pleasant safety blanket to a younger, growing quarterback in Desmond Ridder.

Additionally much like the Bears? Atlanta has the cap house for such a transfer.

New England Patriots

New England Patriots followers have been clamoring for an addition to the extensive receiver room for some time now.

The group has added cross catchers, in JuJu Smith-Schuster and tight finish Mike Gesicki, who operates are extra of an enormous slot receiver. However New England additionally misplaced Jakobi Meyers in free company, and traded Jonnu Smith to the Falcons.

And whereas Mac Jones is getting into his third yr, very like Fields there are nonetheless questions on whether or not he’s the long-term reply in New England. The group employed Invoice O’Brien as their offensive coordinator this offseason, hoping to create some stability across the third-year passer, however Hopkins once more provides that form of ball-winning mentality that will be large for Jones’ growth.

After all, that will imply a reunion between Hopkins and the person who traded him to Arizona within the first place, however maybe O’Brien and the receiver can let the previous keep prior to now …

Baltimore Ravens

Photograph by Patrick Smith/Getty Photographs

We’re nonetheless ready on how the Lamar Jackson state of affairs will play out in Baltimore. Will he return to the Ravens with a brand new deal? Play beneath the franchise tag? Or will a group swoop in and signal the previous league MVP to a proposal sheet, that the Ravens decline to match?

On condition that the sport of quarterback musical chairs appears to be winding down, there is likely to be extra momentum behind Jackson returning to Baltimore.

Including Hopkins by way of a commerce may maybe sweeten the deal.

Minnesota Vikings

With Adam Thielen transferring to the NFC South, there may be room for an addition to the receiver room in Minnesota.

There’s not query that that is Justin Jefferson’s present, as he led the league in receiving yards, receptions, and secured Offensive Participant of the Yr honors. However with out Thielen, there may be room for an additional choice throughout from Jefferson. Okay.J. Osborn has been a strong choice for the Vikings the previous two years, however is he sufficient?

With the eye Jefferson attracts from opposing secondaries, Minnesota wants a receiver who can persistently make the most of the following one-on-one matchups, and Hopkins is that form of receiver.

The most important hurdle is likely to be Minnesota’s cap state of affairs. But when basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could make the numbers work, Hopkins might be a fantastic match with the Vikings.

Cleveland Browns

Now right here’s a thought.

Chemistry between quarterback and receiver is a big a part of offensive success. The truth is, here’s a massive piece I wrote in regards to the thought over a yr in the past, for extra on the theme of belief between a QB and a WR.

A transfer to Cleveland would reunite Hopkins with Deshaun Watson, and there may not be a greater instance of a QB having belief in a receiver than the early phases of Watson’s NFL profession. If you happen to suppose again to his first NFL begin, a Thursday evening sport in Cincinnati in opposition to the Bengals, it was clear who Watson trusted probably the most.

Very clear, as Watson saved focusing on Hopkins on curls and out routes again and again:

Cleveland has Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones on the roster, in addition to choices corresponding to David Bell, Anthony Schwartz, Jakeem Grant and Jaelon Darden behind them. However an 11-personnel package deal of Cooper, Peoples-Jones, and Hopkins could be robust on opposing secondaries.

Very robust.

Buffalo Payments

Might the Payments get in on a transfer for Hopkins?

Coming into the offseason, discovering a operating mate for Stefon Diggs gave the impression to be one of many gadgets on basic supervisor Brandon Beane’s to-do record. Sadly, that record had different gadgets, such because the pending free company choices over linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and security Jordan Poyer, in addition to managing the group’s place concerning the wage cap.

Edmunds is now in Chicago having signed with the Bears, however Poyer is again with a brand new deal, and the group is now in a greater monetary image, due to restructured offers for Josh Allen and Von Miller.

Now maybe Beane can check out that receiver room.

The group launched Isaiah McKenzie, and whereas they added Trent Sherfield, including one other receiver nonetheless looks like a sensible transfer. Khalil Shakir might be a robust choice for them out of the slot, and perhaps the Payments get the massive Gabe Davis breakout season followers have been hoping for, however placing Hopkins throughout from Stefon Diggs would offer an instantaneous enhance to Buffalo’s offense.

Houston Texans

Might Hopkins return to the place it began?

The Texans added one extensive receiver this offseason, signing Robert Woods in free company. However they only traded one other, transferring Brandin Cooks to the Dallas Cowboys.

The group can also be anticipated to see John Metchie III return. The previous Alabama extensive receiver missed his total rookie season after being identified with acute promyelocytic leukemia final summer season.

So the Texans do have choices within the receiver room, however provided that Houston goes so as to add a rookie quarterback with the second-overall choice, surrounding that rookie with expertise is likely to be a clever funding for basic supervisor Nick Caserio.

And in any case, Hopkins helped one rookie QB already in Watson. Might he do the identical for a second, again the place his NFL profession started?