DeAndre Hopkins 'Good Fit' For Patriots?

Free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is scheduled to visit the New England Patriots next week, but will the 31-year-old be a good fit in Foxborough?

The New England Patriots have emerged as a top favorite to land free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Scheduled to spend time in Foxborough on a visit, Hopkins already feels a some familiarity with Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien. 

O'Brien, who spent six seasons as the receivers head coach on the Houston Texans - three of which he was named an All-Pro - before Hopkins was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2020. 

And this sense of comfort could play in New England's favor, per Mike Reiss of ESPN. 

"Time away can sometimes spark greater appreciation from a player, and Hopkins’ willingness to visit the Patriots might reflect that," ESPN writes. "He said on the “I Am Athlete” podcast that some of the things he’s seeking in his new team are “stable management, a QB who loves the game and brings everybody on board with him, and a great defense.”

While it is not the "Super Bowl contender," a veteran such as Hopkins may be searching for in this point of his career, New England does check all of the aforementioned boxes. But more importantly, it has money to spend compared to other teams - working with roughly $14.2 million as it stands. 

"A one-year, $10 million contract that would be worth up to $12 million to $13 million might be a more reasonable target for Hopkins (and a team like the Patriots)," ESPN writes. "But if joining a contender is of greater importance to him than the contract, a la Randy Moss in 2007, that would change the dynamic."

Signing a high-caliber player such as Hopkins could instantly improve this Patriots offense that has witnessed a complete makeover this offseason. 

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