ESPN's Fowler: Titans 'Well Positioned' For Free Agent WR DeAndre Hopkins
NASHVILLE — We're into July now, and training camp is just three weeks away for most NFL teams, including the Tennessee Titans. There's still a big piece they want to add to their roster before camp — free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
The veteran wide receiver, who was cut by the Arizona Cardinals a month ago, has visited with the Titans and New England Patriots, and other teams have had talks with him. ESPN football insider Jeremy Fowler said Monday that the Titans ''are still pretty well positioned'' on getting Hopkins.
“I’ve checked on this just recently and I was told the Tennessee Titans are still pretty well positioned here. They’re in the mix, and certainly they have a high level of interest from head coach Mike Vrabel on,'' Fowler said during Monday night's SportsCenter show. "They had a good visit with him a few weeks ago. So they remain in contact, as do the New England Patriots, so both teams are still at the forefront.''
The Titans have a big need at wide receiver, with a group that ranks among the least productive in the league. Adding Hopkins would be huge. He's very familiar with Vrabel and offensive coordinator Tim Kelly from their time at Houston together, and he would be a plug-and-play starter for the Titans from Day 1.
Hopkins is a 10-year veteran, but he's never won a Super Bowl. It seemed obvious when he became a free agent that he might chase a ring, but it's been just the Titans and Patriots who have wanted to meet with him so far.
“Kansas City has kept in touch. That’s a team that maybe Hopkins might wait on if he’s in no major rush,'' Fowler said of the Super Bowl champions. "Kansas City has to lock up some cap space. They’re pretty tight right now, and they would have to re-do some contracts with players like Chris Jones and others to get some available money.
"So if Hopkins doesn’t want to wait on that, certainly he’s got two teams in the Titans and Patriots that could be ready to go at some point this summer. I’ve heard that Hopkins is willing to wait closer to camp, but that doesn’t mean it might not get done in the next week or two, too.
The Titans finished 7-10 a year ago, losing their last seven games after getting decimated by injuries to starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill and several offensive linemen. Up-and-coming Jacksonville wound up winning the division on the final day of the regular season, beating the Titans to clinch the title.
The Jaguars are favored to win the title again, according to the gambling website Fanduel. Jacksonville is at minus-165, while the Titans are second at plus-360. Indianapolis (plus-550) and Houston (plus-1000) are listed far behind.
