Is former Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins going to join the New England Patriots?

Having already visited the Cowboys, Jets, Titans, Lions, and Jaguars all of whom have declined to acquire him, the former Cardinals wide receiver is now set to meet with Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, a team that is in need of a playmaking pass catcher.

DeAndre Hopkins to meet with New England Patriots

According to recent reports, former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver, DeAndre Hopkins is due to have a session with the New England Patriots next week, in a move that appears to be a promising one with both parties needing what the other is offering. What makes the situation even more plausible, is that compared with other teams that could use his services such as the Kansas City Chiefs or the Buffalo Bills, who don’t seem to have enough cap space, the Patriots do, and moreover a real need for a new WR.

To be clear, New England doesn’t have a genuine No. 1 receiver on their roster. Though it’s fair to say that Hopkins is slowing down at 31 years old, it’s also fair to say that he’s still a very good wideout. Also, it’s not like the Patriots haven’t invested in veteran talent before, think Randy Moss.

Bill Belichick is a fan of DeAndre Hopkins

Another thing that adds fuel to this fire, is the fact that we already know the Patriots coach appreciates what Hopkins brings to the table. You may recall the way in which he spoke about the wideout before the Patriots and Cardinals squared off last season.

“He’s got tremendous ball skills,” Belichick said at the time. “He catches everything. Has great hands. He’s long so he’s never covered, even if he’s covered there’s a place where the ball can be that he can get it and still make the catch. Great coordination on the sidelines. And he doesn’t really look it, but he’s a strong kid. You see him break tackles. He’s a strong kid in terms of creating separation on routes, yards after contact, tough yards like around the goal line, or that extra yard for a first down type of thing. ...He’s a smart football player. Very savvy. I’d say his ball skills are at the very elite level of guys that I’ve seen in this league. He’s up there with whoever the top guys are. The Cris Carters of the world. Guys like that. I think he’s every bit as good as anybody I’ve ever coached against.”

There could be a catch to DeAndre Hopkins’ move to Buffalo Bills

There is one possible hitch in any move that Hopkins might make to New England, and that’s the Bills’ new offensive coordinator, Bill O’Brien. Indeed, it was O’Brien who traded Hopkins to Arizona when he was the Houston Texans’ head coach. It’s also understood that he was none too pleased when Hopkins asked for an increase in salary at the time. For the moment there’s nothing official and obviously, the Bills would have been aware of this before agreeing to host Hopkins. On the other hand, it’s still something to keep in mind as they look for a new wide receiver, and he looks for a new team.