There are a lot of people that believe the next domino that is going to fall in the NFL offseason is wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins being traded. It was reported weeks ago that the Arizona Cardinals were open to trading their former All-Pro as they embark on a new era after a regime change.
DeAndre Hopkins is someone that should draw a lot of attention around the league. Without high-end talent available in free agency this year, trades are the way to go for any franchise looking to add an impact wide receiver this offseason.
Despite some concerns about missed games the last two seasons, as DeAndre Hopkins missed seven games in 2021 and eight in 2022, he remains dominant when on the field. In only nine games in 2022 with some underwhelming quarterback play mixed in, DeAndre Hopkins still managed to catch 64 passes for 717 yards and three touchdowns.
Turning 31 years old in June, DeAndre Hopkins looks like a player that still has some good years of football left to offer a team. The question now, is what team will make a trade for him?
The usual suspects such as the New York Giants and Chicago Bears have been mentioned. The Kansas City Chiefs are another popular landing spot, as are the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots.
But, according to a former NFL executive that spoke to NFL Analysis Network, there is one team lurking as a dark horse option; the Minnesota Vikings.
“The DeAndre Hopkins trade talks are very active. One dark-horse team that has come into some discussions is the Vikings. They’re not a front-runner, but they can’t be counted out yet.”
Adding DeAndre Hopkins in place of Adam Thielen, who was released earlier this offseason, would be quite an upgrade for the Vikings. The number of one-on-one opportunities that he would see playing opposite Justin Jefferson would easily be the most in his career. Teams will not be able to afford to double-team either player, leaving the other in exploitable coverage.
Figuring out draft compensation for the Vikings to send to the Cardinals could be tough. Arizona is seeking a second-round pick with either a player or more draft capital included. Minnesota has already traded its 2023 second-round pick to the Detroit Lions in a midseason deal for tight end T.J. Hockenson.
The Vikings could try offering a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft with a 2024 second-round pick and see if the Cardinals bite. But, that is likely part of the reason that the Vikings aren’t considered front runners as their draft capital just doesn’t match up with what the Cardinals are seeking.
