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DeAndre Hopkins is on the trade block in the 2023 NFL offseason as the Arizona Cardinals are reportedly looking to shed his salary cap hit. He carries a massive $19.45 million cap hit for the upcoming season. This number is challenging for the Cardinals, especially considering they are in a rebuilding phase.
Many reports have indicated that the Cardinals have been seeking a second-round pick in the NFL draft as well as another valuable piece in exchange for Hopkins in a trade. It doesn't appear to be likely they will receive the compensation they've been looking for as they've been shopping him around for weeks without any team reportedly making an offer.
According to a recent report by SI, the Dallas Cowboys' recent trade for Brandin Cooks with the Houston Texans may serve more as a model for the Cardinals in a Hopkins trade than what they're seeking:
"I do think he’ll bring back more than Brandin Cooks did for the Texans — Houston got a 2023 fifth-rounder and ’24 sixth-rounder for him from the Cowboys — but it’ll probably be closer to that than what Arizona is looking for."
It's unclear how much "more" the Cardinals will receive for DeAndre Hopkins than the Texans got back for Brandin Cooks. While it may be surprising that a superstar like Hopkins doesn't have a bigger market, his recent history suggests he may be overpriced at this point in his career.
Why are the Cardinals struggling to find a trade partner for DeAndre Hopkins?
The Cardinals may be seeking too much in return for their star wide receiver when all factors are considered. He's the third-highest paid wide receiver in the entire NFL entering the 2023 season, trailing only Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams. It's fair to consider that he may be overpaid at this point, considering he's failed to exceed 1,000 receiving yards in three years.
Hopkins has also missed 17 games in the last two years: 11 to various injuries and six for a PED suspension. His statistical regression, recent history of missed games and massive salary cap hit all contribute to him being a risky acquisition for potential landing spots via trade.
For the Cardinals to move on from DeAndre Hopkins, they will likely need to be willing to significantly reduce their asking price.
