The Arizona Cardinals have released star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins leaves the team amidst a roster reset under new management. His exit comes after weeks of speculation, during which the Cardinals were unable to find a trade partner for the soon-to-be 31-year-old.
Hopkins joined the Cardinals in 2020, setting a franchise record with 115 catches for 1,407 yards and six touchdowns, earning him second-team All-Pro honors. However, his subsequent seasons were plagued by injuries and suspension.
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DeAndre Hopkins Released: Fantasy Football Impact & Best Landing Spots
DeAndre Hopkins was released by the Cardinals on Friday after bailing on offseason training activities. Hopkins was originally rumored to be traded but can now sign anywhere he wants to go. The All-Pro WR had recently stated on the I AM ATHLETE podcast that the Top 5 QBs he would want to play with includes Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert.
Based on the needs of those specific teams (Bills, Eagles, Chiefs, Ravens, Chargers) and prior interest some of those franchises have shown in Hopkins, I’d bet he lands in either Buffalo or Kansas City. He would immediately be back in the top-10 conversation on the Chiefs as the No. 1 WR after finishing last season 9th in points per game with his 29.4% target share. He’s a strong fantasy WR2 on Buffalo playing alongside Stefon Diggs, with volume probably lighter to come by.
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— FantasyPros (@FantasyPros) May 26, 2023
Either way, getting out of Arizona is a massive win for Hopkins’ fantasy value, with him surely getting a quarterback upgrade. Last season, Hopkins played five games without a fully healthy Kyler Murray season, and he averaged a meager 10 fantasy points per game – a major falloff from his splits with Murray at 17.9 points per game. Also, without Murray, Hopkins led all WRs in fantasy points scored under expectation with zero top-12 finishes (two top-15). His horrible quarterback play was “highlighted” with a disastrous 1-catch performance on 10 targets in Week 16.
Following Hopkins’ departure, the Cardinals’ top receiver is now Marquise Brown. The next options on the depth chart include Rondale Moore, Zach Pascal, Greg Dortch, and third-round pick Michael Wilson.
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