DeAndre Hopkins to Patriots: Rumor or Reality?

The former All-Pro receiver is a "betting favorite" and "most likely landing spot", but will the New England Patriots actually sign DeAndre Hopkins?

Stefon Diggs in Buffalo. Garrett Wilson in New York. Tyreek Hill in Miami. And in a competitive AFC East loaded with talented, top-tier receivers, are we on the verge of ... DeAndre Hopkins in New England?

Rumors that began last season when Patriots coach Bill Belichick exchanged verbal bouquets with the Arizona Cardinals' receiver morphed into potential reality this week when the 30-year-old former All-Pro was released. To keep up with explosive offenses in their division, the Pats need a proven No. 1 receiver. And to jump-start optimism and excitement in the wake of missing the playoffs two of the last three seasons, they also need to make a splash.

Signing Hopkins as a free agent would check both boxes, but is it realistic?

Yes according to Sports Illustrated, which includes New England as one of the best landing spots for Hopkins:

The Patriots lost Jakobi Meyers and Nelson Agholor as free agents, and Smith-Schuster has never really been a true alpha receiver. Adding Hopkins would help Smith-Schuster in that respect, and he’d certainly benefit Mac Jones. If Nuk landed in New England, I’d see him as more of a mid-WR2 who could bring back some big weeks when the matchup is overly favorable.

Also yes according to oddsmakers, one of which gives the Pats the fourth-best chance of signing Hopkins, behind the Chiefs, Cowboys and Bills.

Giving quarterback Mac Jones an actual offensive coordinator in Bill O'Brien should upgrade last season's woeful offense. Providing him with a legit receiver would significantly help the cause as well.

Hopkins, who has struggled (relatively) in the last two seasons, will with the right team have a great chance to return to his 2020 form, when he had a franchise-record 115 catches for 1,407 yards and six touchdowns while earning second-team All-Pro honors.

Given the unsolicited exchange last season, there is no doubting the respect between Hopkins and Belichick. However, Jones wasn't exactly top of mind when Hopkins was asked recently about the quarterbacks he'd like to play for.

"What I want is stable management upstairs, that's something I haven't really had the past couple years of my career coming from Houston and then to Arizona," Hopkins said. "A QB who loves the game, a QB who brings everybody on board with him, not just himself but everybody around him ... and a great defense. A great defense wins championships."

The Pats have the management and the defense, but ... when asked about the top five quarterbacks he'd want to play with, Hopkins listed the Bills' Josh Allen, Eagles' Jalen Hurts, Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes and Ravens' Lamar Jackson before being stumped for a fifth name.

But Hopkins also admits he's heard the connection to the Patriots, and wouldn't dismiss it.

“I would definitely say the Patriots were one of the teams," Hopkins declared. "Obviously, I would say the Bills were one of those teams that I heard."

There are seemingly plenty of dots from Hopkins to Foxboro. But will they ultimately be connected?

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