The Buffalo Bills (+200) is the second favorite, with the Kansas City Chiefs (+400) also in the hunt to land the former Arizona Cardinals free agent. The top 10 on the board at DraftKings are as follows;
- Cleveland Browns +100
- Buffalo Bills +300
- Kansas City Chiefs +400
- New England Patriots +1000
- Houston Texans +1000
- Dallas Cowboys +1200
- Baltimore Ravens +1200
- Detroit Lions +1800
- New York Jets +2000
- Miami Dolphins +2200
There are a few reasons why the Browns should pursue Hopkins this summer.
First, it would be a reunion with QB Deshaun Watson. Hopkins enjoyed some of the best seasons of his career when the two were teammates in Houston. Watson told reporters
“Of course, we would love to have him. He knows that we had a lot of connections, but that’s kind of out of my range of things. So all I can do is make a call and see what happens and let AB [Browns General Manager Andrew Berry] do the rest.”
Second, the wide receiver room automatically improves. Cleveland did bolster their WR corps by acquiring wideout Elijah Moore in a postseason trade with the New York Jets to play alongside WR1 Amari Cooper and WR3 Donavan Peoples-Jones, but Hopkins makes that group much stronger and opens up some possible trade options for the Browns to explore.
Third, the Browns paid Watson $250 million, and it only makes sense to surround him with the best possible talent available. There aren’t any free agents available who can help Cleveland as much as Hopkins would, and the star wideout is worth every penny the Browns would be asked to pay.
Here are some additional details about the Browns’ interest in DeAndre Hopkins:
- The Browns have been linked to Hopkins as far back as last summer, and the rumors have intensified in recent weeks
- Browns general manager Andrew Berry has said that he is always looking to improve the team, and he would not rule out signing a star player like Hopkins.
- Hopkins would be a major upgrade for the Browns’ wide receiver corps. He is a three-time All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowl selection. He has also led the NFL in receiving yards twice.
- Signing Hopkins would not come cheap. The Browns would likely have to offer him a contract worth $20+ million annually.
- If the Browns are serious about winning a Super Bowl, signing Hopkins would be necessary. He is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, and he would give Watson a true No. 1 target.
It remains to be seen whether the Browns will be able to sign DeAndre Hopkins. However, the rumors are certainly interesting, the odds are in their favor, and it would be a major coup for the team if they were able to land him.
