Updated Likelihood of DeAndre Hopkins Landing with Jets

Gang Green will have to compete with Buffalo and Kansas City for the All-Pro receiver's services

A second elite receiver for future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers to target in the passing game?

Adding free agent DeAndre Hopkins, a three-time All-Pro First Team honoree, would make the New York Jets the undisputed paper champions of the 2023 NFL Offseason. 

A five-time Pro Bowler lining up opposite the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year would demand consideration for the top billing amongst NFL receiving duos. 

"D-Hop and Garrett Wilson would be fun to watch, though, for sure," said All Cardinals editor Donnie Druin, who suggested the Buffalo Bills are the most-likely landing spot for the freshly-released receiver.

"He’s given glowing reviews to Josh Allen and the Bills, and his talent could be a great asset to a contending team," said Druin.

As for the possibility of Hopkins joining the Jets, Druin said it was unlikely but wasn't ready to completely dismiss the idea. 

The Jets do, however, have an advantage over a team like the Bills in terms of salary cap space. Spotrac estimates Gang Green has $18 million free on the cap heading into the 2023 season. The team can reportedly make another $10 million available by releasing veteran receiver Corey Davis.

Buffalo has only $1.6 million of room remaining on its 2023 cap while Kansas City, another rumored top destination for Hopkins, has only $1.1 million left in space. Either team would have to re-structure current contracts before signing a high-priced free agent.

🏈 More on @DeAndreHopkins 🏈

• The Chiefs and Bills were the only teams to have substantive trade talks with Arizona.

• As was the case with Kansas City, contract was the issue for Buffalo.

• KC made progress, but @OBJ's deal ($15M base) more or less blew that progress up.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 27, 2023

Sports Illustrated's Matthew Verderame ranked "The Five Best Landing Spots for DeAndre Hopkins" and the Jets were not named. The Bills came in at No. 2 behind the top-ranked Chiefs.

Around The NFL writer Nick Shook listed "seven team fits that make sense" for Hopkins, omitting Gang Green.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler tabbed the Green & White as one of nine clubs that "might stand as the best and most intriguing fits."

Betting odds for Hopkins's next team vary from sportsbook to sportsbook, but Buffalo and Kansas City seem to be the top-two favorites. BetOnline lists the Bills at +200 followed by the Chiefs at +300 and the Dallas Cowboys at +500. New England is 7-to-1 while Baltimore carries 8:1 odds. The Jets are listed at +1400. 

Hopkins has averaged 77.9 receiving yards per game over his 10-year career that features four 100-catch campaigns. In nine starts last year, after returning from suspension, the 6-foot-1 Hopkins made 64 receptions for 717 yards. 

He's set to turn 31 years old in June, but showed no negative signs of aging in 2022. The former first-round pick produced WR1-level numbers despite playing with a backup quarterback.

Adding Hopkins would be doubly beneficial to the Jets and their quest for a Super Bowl. In addition to infusing elite talent into the offense, Gang Green would prevent AFC contenders Kansas City or Buffalo from improving its weapons cache. 

During a recent interview on the "I AM ATHLETE" podcast, Hopkins was highly complimentary of Bills' starting QB Josh Allen.

"I would have to say one of my favorite quarterbacks I've been watching since he came in the league is Josh Allen," said Hopkins, who proceeded to mention four more quarterbacks' names — Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert.

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