Which Version Of DeAndre Hopkins Shows Up In 2023?

It was hardly a shock considering he’s been rumored to be on the trading block for months. Still, the news that the Arizona Cardinals parted ways with talented wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins caught some by surprise. Suddenly, one of the most prolific pass-catchers of the past 10 years is on the open market.

The 27th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Texans, Hopkins put together quite the resume in Houston. In seven seasons with the franchise, he totaled 632 catches for 8,602 yards and 54 scores. He totaled 100-plus receptions three times and rolled up 1,000-plus receiving yards in four of those seven campaigns. The former Clemson University product was named to the Pro Bowl four times and earned All-Pro honors three straight years from 2017-19.

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Headed To The Desert

Then came the real surprise. In 2020, the Texans sent Hopkins and a fourth-round pick to Arizona in exchange for running back David Johnson, a second-round choice that year, and a fourth-round pick in 2021. It seemed like a steal for the Cards. After one year with the club, it looked even worse for Bill O’Brien and the Texans. Hopkins earned a fifth trip to the Pro Bowl after catching 115 passes for 1,407 yards and six touchdowns.

However, it has been a different story over the past two seasons. The 10-year pro has been unavailable only slightly less than he’s been available. Hopkins has missed a total of 15 regular-season contests (the first 6 games in 2022 due to a league suspension) and the club’s 2021 playoff meeting with the Rams. During his first eight NFL seasons, he missed a total of two games.

In a combined 19 games since 2021, Hopkins has totaled only 106 receptions for 1,289 yards, and 11 scores. Is this a player on the decline or one that has been unlucky the past two years when it came to staying healthy? It will be interesting to see where Hopkins lands and perhaps more significantly, how long he stays on the open market.