Wide Receiver DeAndre Hopkins Free Agent Tour Starts, First Stop Tennessee

By Jordan Long

Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is going to start his free agent tour.  His first stop will be Tennessee on Sunday.  They will try to lure him to play for them.

            Hopkins is one of the top receivers in free agency.  The Arizona Cardinals made the surprising move to release the wide receiver on May 30th.   Arizona takes a $22.6 million hit in dead cap space.  On the bright side, it saves Arizona $8.15 million in cap space for this upcoming season. 

            Hopkins had success in Arizona for the past 3 years.  He totaled 221 receptions for 2,696 yards and 17 touchdowns.  His average yards per catch was 12.2.   Hopkins can be productive in any offense.

            The Titans could make some sense.  They don’t have a star wide receiver. Their best pass catcher is Treylon Burks who is entering his second season. Last year he had 444 yards receiving and 1 touchdown.  Those numbers don’t say Burks is ready to take the next step.  Burks needs another wide receiver on the team.  Hopkins may be that guy.

            Hopkins is a star in this league at the wide receiver position.  He could play the opposite side of Burks to take the pressure off of him.  Quarterback Ryan Tannehill would find Hopkins and Burks.  Hopkins might be the first option because of his speed and he would catch the ball for first downs or longer.

            Head Coach of the Tennessee Titans, Mike Vrabel, knows signing Hopkins is a possibility. According to ESPN.com, Vrabel said, “We want people that want to be here. Then if that works out then you go on to the next step.”

            The Titans are an option for Hopkins. Vrabel is familiar with Hopkins.  Vrabel and Hopkins were part of the 2017 Houston Texans team.  Vrabel coached the defense but knows what Hopkins can do on offense since he saw it in practice.

            The problem with the Titans is their cap space.  The Titans have around $8.381 million left in cap space.  Hopkins would need to take a discount.  That would make the most sense. Even if he is willing, Tennessee isn’t a Super Bowl contender.  Other teams would be better to go for less money and a chance to win a ring.  Hopkins is going to visit Tennessee and other teams as well.  He will make the decision that is best for him.