At 1-5, it’s hard to imagine that the Baltimore Ravens have playoff aspirations this season, and since their year is likely over, they could trade veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. According to Pro Football Focus, the source believes Hopkins might be a trade candidate since he’s been playing better than anticipated despite the circumstances of being without quarterback Lamar Jackson. Even though the Ravens’ offense hasn’t been too productive, it’s not stopping Hopkins from having a bounce-back year after spending half a season with the Kansas City Chiefs last year before falling to the Eagles in the Super Bowl.
Originally selected in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, the former Clemson product is slated to become a free agent after the 2025 campaign is over. Hopkins was once a reliable playmaker in the aerial attack for a team’s offense while spending most of his time with the Houston Texans. Since then, the veteran has become a journeyman between the Cardinals and Titans, while still putting up huge numbers without a solid signal-caller on those offenses. Hopkins isn’t the same player he once was, but he could garner interest in the next few weeks before the trade deadline next month if the Ravens continue to lose, and it might be safer to do this and build on a new season next year.
Breaking: Ravens Predicted to Trade Three-Time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins – 3 Suitors Could Be Interested
Potential Destinations
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are playing their best football this year. However, the offensive pass-attack continues to take hits with injuries, including Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Now, with rookie Emeka Egbuka nursing an injury, the Buccaneers must figure out how to get the “next man up” in their situation. While Tez Johnson, Sterling Shephard and Ryan Miller have been able to hold their own weight in situational moments, they should at least trade for a capable veteran weapon to keep quarterback Baker Mayfield afloat.
In the playoffs, it’s a different ball game, and the Buccaneers should know that after failing to make it past the wild-card round last season. A trade for Hopkins should put them in the right situation and keep this pass offense stabilized. He isn’t going to take away snaps from Evans, Godwin or Egbuka, but build on the blueprint that the Buccaneers want.
Dallas Cowboys
Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys are getting wide receiver Jonathan Mingo back after spending all of this year’s campaign on IR. With Ryan Flournoy emerging as a capable WR3 behind George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys should feel comfortable enough to consider trading Jalen Tolbert. This means that if Dallas truly wants to give themselves an advantage on offense and have postseason aspirations despite an ugly defense, they should trade for Hopkins.
Perhaps, they could trade Tolbert and a late-round draft pick in return for Hopkins to boost their chances in the playoffs.
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers aren’t in the market for a receiver anymore after signing Kendrick Bourne the past few weeks, but it wouldn’t hurt to give Mac Jones or Brock Purdy the upper hand in the NFC. With the Brandon Aiyuk drama and Jauan Jennings continuing to deplete to injuries, it would be a safe, low-stakes trade for the team to pull off. Hopkins pairing with Marquez Valdes-Scantling in situational moments should put the 49ers in a good spot in the deep threat attack.
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