So, now that DeAndre Hopkins has been released by the Arizona Cardinals, where do the Carolina Panthers stand in the sweepstakes for the free-agent wideout? Well, they may have taken a step or two back since the last time we visited the odds.
Our last peek, courtesy of hypothetical odds given by Bookies.com’s Adam Thompson, showed the Panthers as the second-likeliest team to land the three-time first-team All-Pro pass catcher from Arizona — who actually led the pack with +200 odds to retain Hopkins. Carolina’s odds sat at +550 — which were tied with the Chicago Bears and behind only the Kansas City Chiefs (+300).
Thompson updated his outlook again on Monday, and the Panthers aren’t sitting as pretty . . .
- Dallas Cowboys: +350 (22.2 percent)
- New York Jets: +500 (16.7 percent)
- Kansas City Chiefs: +500 (16.7 percent)
- Carolina Panthers: +750 (11.8 percent)
- Detroit Lions: +1000 (9.1 percent)
- Buffalo Bills: +1000 (9.1 percent)
- Baltimore Ravens: +1200 (7.7 percent)
- New England Patriots: +1500 (6.3 percent)
- The field: + 400 (20 percent)
There is some solid logic as to why the Panthers should sign Hopkins. Not only do they have a need for a No. 1 wide receiver, but they also have the second-most salary cap space in the league.
But there are also reasons why a homecoming for the Central, S.C., native may not happen — and one of those reasons could pertain to that cap space and keeping another player “home.”
Nonetheless, the shop for Hop rolls on.
