No OBJ; Patriots Still Focused on DeAndre Hopkins?

Despite Odell Beckham Jr. signing with the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, the New England Patriots may still be interested in another All-Pro receiver in DeAndre Hopkins.
In this story:

With free agent wideout Odell Beckham Jr. signing with the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, the New England Patriots could still be on the market for a go-to receiving option. 

And despite signing the likes of JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki in free agency, this receiving core and quarterback Mac Jones could always add more depth. 

One option that has been rumbling in recent weeks is Arizona Cardinal receiver and 10-year veteran DeAndre Hopkins. 

"The New England Patriots could surely use a top receiving option to help Mac Jones as he enters his third year under center, even after signing JuJu Smith-Schuster," Bleacher Report said. "The Patriots lost Jakobi Meyers to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, leaving an already thin group even more vulnerable."

Arizona, who has been reportedly asking for a price tag of a "second-round pick and another asset" for Hopkins, has not been able to make a deal up to this point for the three-time All-Pro wideout. Which ultimately could work out for New England, who has no interest in absorbing all of the soon-to-be 31-year-olds $30.8 million cap hit heading into 2023. 

"[The Cardinals] are probably not going to get as much as they would if he was a younger player or his contract was considerably lower, where you could get him for a second-round (pick),” former Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said in an appearance on the “Green Light with Chris Long” podcast recently. “It could end up being a second- or third-day draft pick to really get it done. Probably (need to) get a new deal done.

“Here’s the problem. The problem is his current contract. … Hop was his own agent, and I can tell you that wasn’t the easiest (negotiation) in the world. Between him and Larry Fitzgerald, that put all the grey on my beard.”

Hopkins, who's most successful seasons came while being coached by now Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien during their tenures with the Houston Texans, would instantly add an elite receiving threat for Jones and this New England Patriots. 

Whether or not it comes in the form of Hopkins, or spending an early draft pick on a wideout, Jones should expect to have more throwing options come next season. 


Follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard

Follow Patriots Country on Twitter and Facebook

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Patriots? Click Here

More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.


Published