Free-agent WR DeAndre Hopkins to Visit Patriots Next Week: Reports
According to insider information, free-agent DeAndre Hopkins is scheduled to pay a visit to the New England Patriots next week, as reported by NFL Network on Friday.
According to insider information, free-agent DeAndre Hopkins is scheduled to pay a visit to the New England Patriots next week, as reported by NFL Network on Friday.
Prior to meeting with the Pats, the free-agent wide receiver is set to have a meeting with the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, assuming the Titans don’t manage to secure his services with a new contract.
Adding Hopkins to the Patriots‘ roster would provide Mac Jones, the young quarterback, with a reliable target that he desperately needs. Despite missing 15 games over the past two seasons, including a suspension, Hopkins remains one of the top receivers in the NFL.
At 31 years old, he can still outmaneuver younger defensive backs, and his exceptional catching ability solidifies his position as a true number-one receiver. Given his talent for contested catches and his physical stature, Hopkins is likely to age gracefully compared to other wideouts.
The Patriots have been lacking a truly exceptional receiver for quite some time. Bringing in Hopkins would grant Jones a dependable playmaker who can excel off the line of scrimmage, make difficult catches in traffic, and pose a threat in the red zone.
Pairing Hopkins with another free-agent addition this year, JuJu Smith-Schuster would significantly enhance the Patriots’ wide receiver corps on paper in June.
Moreover, the signing of Hopkins might lead to the eventual release of Kendrick Bourne, who has had a tumultuous relationship with head coach Bill Belichick.
When asked about Hopkins’ potential impact on the offense, Patriots safety Adrian Phillips succinctly replied, “His hands.”
Phillips added, as reported by NBC Sports Boston, that Hopkins catches everything, showcasing his knack for one-handed grabs and other impressive displays of his catching ability. Additionally, Phillips emphasized Hopkins’ physicality and his capacity to shift gears at any given moment.
Another intriguing element in the potential signing of Hopkins by the Patriots is the presence of offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
Previously, it was speculated that O’Brien’s return to the Patriots would deter Hopkins from considering New England.
However, Hopkins’ willingness to schedule a visit indicates that he may be open to reuniting with his former coach from their time together with the Houston Texans.
During their tenure in Houston, Hopkins, and O’Brien were far from compatible, and their relationship soured. Ultimately, O’Brien traded Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals at a significantly reduced value. The question remains: Would they be willing to reconcile in Foxborough?
It’s worth noting that the Patriots explored the possibility of trading for Hopkins during the offseason. However, they were reluctant to part with valuable assets while also taking on his contract. Now that Hopkins is a free agent, Belichick is giving him serious consideration.
Acquiring Hopkins would undoubtedly bolster the Patriots’ chances in the highly competitive AFC East, further fueling the arms race that has come to define the division.
