Not only will Houston sports fans never forget the Texans trading three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins, but he may never forget about it either.
On Friday, the Arizona Cardinals’ official Twitter account was posting facts about Hopkins to celebrate his first season with the team, wherein he caught 115 catches for 1,407 yards and six touchdowns. In the process, Hopkins became the youngest player in NFL history to reach 10,000 receiving yards for his career. The former 2013 first-round pick from Clemson was also named to his fifth Pro Bowl and picked up a second-team All-Pro.
Hopkins retweeted the stats with his own remark.
“An [sic] they said I’m only worth a 2nd rounder,” followed by three laughing-crying emojis.
An they said I’m only worth a 2nd rounder 😂😂😂 https://t.co/vXN2wqXrV8
— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) February 26, 2021
The Texans didn’t just receive a second-round in return; they also picked up former 2016 All-Pro running back David Johnson, who didn’t have a year anywhere close to what Hopkins produced with the Cardinals.
At the time, the Texans claimed they had to trade Hopkins because the team was going to be salary cap-strapped as they signed quarterback Deshaun Watson and left tackle Laremy Tunsil to extensions. Then, they claimed they were handicapped by compensation because they had to find a team that would be willing to take on Hopkins’ contract and give him the extension he sought.
The argument would have made sense, except for the fact the the Minnesota Vikings traded receiver Stefon Diggs for a 2020 first, fifth, sixth, and a 2022 fourth-rounder to the Buffalo Bills. While Diggs had two 1,000-yard receiving seasons in his final two years with the Vikings, he wasn’t anywhere near as meritorious as Hopkins. Diggs earned his first ever Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro selection following the 2020 season, where he caught 127 passes for 1,535 yards and eight touchdowns.
As long as Hopkins continues to have success and the Texans struggle, this trade will continue to be long remembered.
