DeAndre Hopkins/Getty Images
The Arizona Cardinals have reportedly put DeAndre Hopkins on the trading block, and they are asking for a steep price. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, other NFL teams have informed him that the Cardinals are asking for “2nd and 3rd round picks” in exchange for the All-Pro wide receiver.
“They’re looking for almost like a Christian McCaffrey package,” Fowler reported. This refers to the blockbuster trade that saw the Carolina Panthers trade McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers for a second, third, and fourth-round pick last season.
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Hopkins is widely regarded as one of the best wide receivers in the league. In his first season with the Cardinals in 2020, he recorded 1,407 receiving yards and six touchdowns, before injuries and suspensions limited his playing time the following two seasons.
However, it appears that the Cardinals are willing to part with him if the price is right. Teams around the league are closely monitoring the situation, and they believe that Hopkins will be traded if the Cardinals lower their asking price.
It remains to be seen which teams are interested in Hopkins and whether they are willing to meet the Cardinals’ demands. However, with the draft just a month away, teams will have to act quickly if they want to secure the services of one of the best wide receivers in the league.
Hopkins, 30, is under contract with the Cardinals for the next two seasons, and is due to make about $34.4 million. He’s a 5-time Pro-Bowler and 3-time All-Pro selection.
The Cardinals acquired Hopkins in a trade with the Houston Texans in 2020, giving up running back David Johnson and a second-round pick in exchange for the star wide receiver and a fourth-round pick.
If the Cardinals do decide to trade Hopkins, it would be a significant move for a team that is looking to build around quarterback Kyler Murray. However, the Cardinals may feel that they can improve their team by adding multiple draft picks and building for the future.
For now, it appears that the ball is in the Cardinals’ court, and it remains to be seen whether they will lower their asking price and make a deal for Hopkins. The NFL offseason is always full of surprises, and this year is no exception.