The Arizona Cardinals are reportedly planning to trade perennial Pro Bowl receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Should the Indianapolis Colts be interested?
DeAndre Hopkins, one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, could be on the move this offseason. It has been reported that the Arizona Cardinals are considering trading Hopkins. Mike Jurecki reported that he’s heard that Arizona is looking for “at least a second round pick and a conditional pick” in order to move the five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver.
The Indianapolis Colts can definitely still use help at wide receiver, especially with Parris Campbell entering free agency. Additionally, Indy is about to draft a rookie quarterback, and elite weapons always help out young QBs. So, should the Colts be willing to trade a second-round pick to bring DeAndre Hopkins to Indianapolis?
According to a couple agents I’ve spoken with the Cardinals looking for at least a second round pick and a conditional pick for DeAndre Hopkins. These conversations are taking place at the combine.
— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) March 1, 2023
Should Colts trade a second-round pick for DeAndre Hopkins?
Again, Hopkins is one of the best wideouts in all of football. He has played 10 years in the NFL and has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in six of those seasons. However, because of injuries and a suspension for violating the league’s Performance Enhancing Drugs Policy, Hopkins has only played 19 total games over the last two seasons. He has still very been productive though.
In 10 games in 2021, Hopkins caught 42 passes for 572 yards and eight touchdowns. In nine games in 2022, Hopkins was even better, catching 64 passes for 717 yards and three touchdowns. But, he does turn 31 this offseason and has two seasons remaining on his contract, with the cap hit being greater than $26 million in both years. Those are both things for interested teams to consider.
So, with all of that in mind, should the Colts be willing to give up a second-round pick for Hopkins? Absolutely. If Indianapolis was a rebuilding team it would make sense for them to hold on to their draft picks. However, the Colts aren’t really rebuilding, despite having a first-year head coach, and soon, a rookie quarterback. Indy still has a talent-rich roster, and with a few more pieces, they could be contenders.
Hopkins could be one of the pieces that helps the Colts get over the hump. The only reason Indy should be wary of getting rid of a second-round pick is because it may come in handy if the team wants to trade for the No. 1 pick. Aside from that, there should be nothing holding Indianapolis back from calling the Cardinals about DeAndre Hopkins.
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