Insider Updates Patriots Plan To Trade for WR DeAndre Hopkins

The New England Patriots are trying to fill some of the biggest holes on their roster. Head coach Bill Belichick is shopping for a wide receiver and experts claim that the Patriots will trade for DeAndre Hopkins. The talented wide receiver had a brilliant season in 2022, delivering 64 receptions for 717 yards and three TDs in nine games. This makes him an ideal candidate for the Patriots.

Jeff Howe from The Athletic was among the first to discuss this possibility. Is Belichick really going after Hopkins?

“With a new Cardinals regime, headed by GM Monti Ossenfort and coach Jonathan Gannon, rival teams know Hopkins would be a salary dump, which significantly reduces his trade value,” Howe wrote. “That’s why teams like the Patriots, who had an early conversation with the Cardinals, don’t plan to pursue him unless there’s a substantial change in philosophy, according to a league source.”

Patriots could trade for another WR instead of going after Hopkins

Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated is not a fan of this trade. According to him, the Patriots won’t sign Hopkins. The veteran could be an excellent addition to the Patriots. His age could be a major problem at the moment.

“I don’t think that anybody in the organization anticipates it happening,” Breer said on NBC Sports Boston. “I think part of it is all of this comes along with DeAndre Hopkins — he doesn’t practice, there’s been attitude issues in the past, and there’s been a clash in particular with Bill O’Brien. Just think that they see this as a bridge too far right now.”

Getting Jerry Jeudy makes more sense to NFL experts

Instead of going after Hopkins, the Patriots could link with Jerry Jeudy. He will add nice depth to the Patriots receiving unit.

“I think they need to bring in somebody who at least has the potential to grow into a No. 1, which is why I looked at Jerry Jeudy as being a really, really good option,” Breer said. “Because if you look at it, the way they’re set up right now, it feels like the offense is set up for Tom Brady to come in and save the day, and Tom Brady’s not here anymore.

“And you look at young quarterbacks and when they’ve really come of age, Josh Allen had Stefon Diggs, Patrick Mahomes had Tyreek Hill, Justin Herbert had Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Joe Burrow had Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase,” Breer added. “Like, this is the window when you do that. This is the window when you go and get creative and you find a No. 1 whether it’s through the draft or on the veteran market either by trade or free agency. I can see why they wouldn’t go after Hopkins given all the issues they had last year, but I think you have to find a way creatively to go find your No. 1.”