From V-Ry the Sports Guy, photo courtesy of the NFL
In a shocking move, the Arizona Cardinals released star wide receiver Deandre Hopkins on Friday. During his three year stint in the desert, Hopkins dealt with inconsistency and injuries. Despite his shortcomings, Hopkins remains a viable option on the outside even at the age of 30 due to his immense talent.
Deandre Hopkins has good size for a wide receiver at 6’1 212 pounds. The Clemson product doesn’t have great long speed posting just a 4.57 40-yard dash time, but he does have impressive short area quickness. Hopkins has an incredible catch radius and excels in using his physical frame to high point the ball when heavily contested.
Hopkins is known for having reliable hands, often making miraculous catches, but he also struggles with drops on routine plays. When healthy, “D-Hop” is extremely productive, recording a number of 100 reception seasons. Hopkins is a very polished route runner with a knack for creating separation despite lacking elite straight-line speed.
Hopkins has expressed interest in playing with Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen in the hopes of contending for a Super Bowl title. The talent Hopkins possesses is undeniable, but I only see him as a viable option for the Bills if it makes sense financially. The Bills offense would be truly dynamic with Deandre Hopkins and Stefon Diggs on the outside. In the end, I believe that general manager Brandon Beane will work out a deal to bring “D-Hop” to Buffalo. The deal will likely be a fully guaranteed 1-year contract with a total value of around $6 million and consisting of a large signing bonus that does not count against the salary cap.
