The Houston Texans didn’t trade receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the first interested team, but rather had three other potential trade partners for the three-time All-Pro.
On Monday, the Texans traded Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for All-Pro running back David Johnson and swapped their 2020 fourth-round pick for the Cards’ 2020 second-rounder and 2021 fourth-rounder.
Here are the three other teams interested in Hopkins per Aaron Wilson’s report from the Houston Chronicle.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals were interested in the former 2013 first-round pick from Clemson. With the club placing the franchise tag on receiver A.J. Green, perhaps Hopkins would have been able to team up with the former 2011 first-round pick. If not, Hopkins would be the top target for presumably No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow. Cincinnati would have been a rebuilding situation, but not one that would be interminable with Burrow’s skill and Hopkins’ talent.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles haven’t exactly had a No. 1 receiver for quarterback Carson Wentz to throw to. They have tried with the likes of Alshon Jeffrey and Golden Tate, but tight end Zach Ertz remains the most consistent target. With Ertz and Hopkins teamed up in the NFC East, the Eagles would have been strong favorites to repeat as division champions, a feat not accomplished since 2001-04 when the Eagles last did it.
3. New England Patriots
Aside from receiver Julian Edelman, the Patriots have no proven receiving threats on their roster. Factor in that quarterback Tom Brady will be playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, New England doesn’t know who will replace him, and the Patriots’ offense looks very dubious. Playing with little to no quarterback help is not new for Hopkins, who earned one of his three All-Pros in 2017, a year where Deshaun Watson played six-and-a-half games for Houston and the combo of Tom Savage and T.J. Yates played the other nine-and-a-half en route to a 4-12 finish.
