If there’s any single offensive player that can change the course of a game in a flash, it’s wide receiver, DeAndre Hopkins, who was an integral part of the Houston Texans. The New York Giants could have, theoretically, pursued him in a sneaky deal
Hopkins was reportedly being shopped in a potential trade as the Texans attempt to regain lost draft capital.
Peter King is dead-on accurate with his reporting on Hopkins. Last year, I said on GM Shuffle, there was the potential of a big-time receiver being available–that was Hopkins. @peter_king
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) March 16, 2020
The star wideout would have been a target for the Giants, who currently don’t have a No. 1 wide receiver on the roster after trading away Odell Beckham Jr. last offseason. Supplying Jones with one of the best talents in the league would’ve been a good move, but it would cost the Giants draft capital in the process.
Hopkins commanded a second-round pick and David Johnson from the Cardinals. Arizona received Hopkins and a late-round pick in the deal. The most attractive part about Hopkins is his contract, which is set to pay him $14 million in 2020 and $15 million in 2021, an excellent price for one of the best offensive players in the NFL. However, he wants a new deal and Arizona can provide it.
A similar concept can be used for Calais Campbell, who was traded to the Baltimore Ravens for a 5th-round pick.
What would DeAndre Hopkins have brought to the New York Giants?
As one of the least injury-prone wideouts in the game, Hopkins is a fantastic player that is reliable week in and week out. Having been a Pro Bowl player for the last three consecutive years and posted less than 1,000 yards just twice in his seven-year career, Hopkins can transform an offense, and pairing him with Saquon Barkley would have been exciting.
The Cardinals got significantly better on Monday, and will now expedite their rebuild with a player like Hopkins on offense.