Veteran May Land With NFC Contender in Shocking Trade

Veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins may land with NFC contender the Dallas Cowboys in a trade that could happen. According to a proposal, the Cowboys would acquire the veteran wideout from the Titans in exchange for a fifth-round pick. The five-time Pro Bowler is coming off a rebound year last season after posting 75 catches for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns. However, the Titans are getting younger on their roster so they could continue and stockpile draft capital.

It may be time for Tennessee to give second-year quarterback, Will Levis some younger options to help develop him for the next decade. The 32-year-old could be expendable and the Titans only have four total 2025 Draft picks so they may be looking to add some capital. However, Hopkins still projects to be a key part of the passing attack for the Titans. If it’s not now, it could come later after the team receives a $18.3 million cap hit.

Dallas still needs a reliable slot receiver to help Brandin Cooks and CeeDee Lamb’s offense. The Cowboys could get more than that as they need more proven receivers on their depth chart. Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin and rookie Ryan Flournoy seem to be the wideouts that will compete for the slot position. However, it wouldn’t hurt for Dallas to consider a proven veteran to help Lamb and Cooks.

Lamb is entering his contract year so they may need another wideout if he winds up with another team. Hopkins is on the verge of his final season as well since the Titans haven’t made any discussions to extend him. The core wide receiver group doesn’t look promising with just Lamb as the reliable superstar. Hopkins as a veteran coming in would completely make this team Super Bowl-worthy.

Veteran DeAndre Hopkins May Land With NFC Contender Dallas Cowboys in Shocking Trade

How It May Not Happen, Yet

It doesn’t look like the Titans will contend for the Super Bowl this season since Levis is entering his second year and needs more experience to get there. It’s hard to envision that Tennessee would move on from the Clemson product as he still has a lot to offer. However, he is an impending free agent and if they don’t see him in long-term plans, they would likely get something out of a trade.

The team is already at a surplus of receivers entering this year as Treylon Burks seems to be in numerous trade rumors as well. Trading Hopkins would mean saying goodbye to the best receiver on your team. However, they were able to trade for Calvin Ridley and sign Tyler Boyd this offseason which could trigger at least a wideout trade. Whatever the case may be, a trade sounds like something is in the cards for the Titans.

Burks has one more year than Hopkins does on his contract. They could decide to give him one more chance and stick with him along with Ridley and Boyd. The Titans would save $16 million in cap space if they traded Hopkins. Here are some potential trade destinations for the Clemson product.

Potential Trade Destinations

Hopkins would easily be the replacement for the Chiefs’ wide receiver troubles for Rashee Rice. The core group doesn’t sound promising with Marquise Brown leading so adding a lengthy wideout like him would give Patrick Mahomes a solid option. However, the Ravens still need some firepower in their receiver group despite extending Rashod Bateman. They have Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews but they don’t want those weapons to be so reliant that they’ll run out of gas.

Carolina is doing an excellent job of signing receiver talent to surround Bryce Young and the offense. However, they could continue to bolster it by adding an opposite receiver of Diontae Johnson. This way Adam Thielen can focus on the slot. The Chargers have probably one of the most questionable wide receivers in the league this year. They may have a tough time this season figuring out who will be their go-to two wideouts.

Hopkins has a similar style as Mike Williams so that should develop a good connection with Justin Herbert.