Baltimore Ravens: Does DeAndre Hopkins Move the Needle?

The Baltimore Ravens have mastered finding former receiving “gems” in the latter stages of their careers. First, it was players like Sammy Watkins and DeSean Jackson in 2022. Then, Odell Beckham Jr. in 2023. Last year, there was a failed Diontae Johnson experiment. And now, the Ravens have added another veteran with his best days behind him, DeAndre Hopkins. However, that tag-line might sound very deceiving for a player who still provides tremendous value at the NFL level.

On March 14, during the chaos of the early days of NFL free agency, Baltimore decided to take a flier on D-HOP. The deal reads one year worth $5 million guaranteed, making it Hopkins’ third team in two seasons. Without question, he isn’t what he used to be. But it doesn’t deny the fact that he is still a high-impact player heading into year 13 of a career that could find its way into Canton when it’s all set and done. 

Now, he joins a pair of future Hall of Famers in this Baltimore offense looking to secure a title. Is Hopkins the needle-mover, or has he become “just a guy” in his latter years.

How does DeAndre Hopkins fit the Ravens system?

Baltimore’s one year deal with Hopkins immediately caught eyeballs. This is a player who has been a generation-defining talent over the course of a 12-year career. He’s a 5x Pro Bowler, 3x All-Pro, and a 1000+ yard receiver in seven seasons. However, he still searches for his first career ring to cement his legacy.

Now with Baltimore, many fans wonder what part he’ll play in offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s creative offensive scheme. Because the Ravens, unlike in previous seasons, have receivers and pass catching talent.

Zay Flowers went over 1000 yards in 2024. Rashod Bateman collected nine touchdowns as a secondary option. And Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely are still a dominant two-tight end pairing. Even running back Justice Hill has emerged as a threat out of the backfield for a frequently pressured Lamar Jackson.

And of course, the Ravens literally run through its two stars in the backfield. Jackson may be the best running quarterback in NFL history. Adding Derrick Henry alongside him has been a scary combination. The King ran for over 1900 yards a year ago, second-most in the NFL.

So, Hopkins is not alone in this offense, and he won’t be relied on at the rate of other playmakers on this team. However, one component this Ravens offense has lacked has been a big receiver to go up and get one-on-one balls. Now, Hopkins provides that skillset as perhaps the best to do so of this generation. His productivity as a boundary receiver will allow Flowers to play more in his comforted slot position, and give Likely more positions to attack as a pass-catcher.

While he’s no longer the it factor, his 6-foot-1 build and catch radius will always make him a dangerous threat, no matter what age he is.

What level of play can Hopkins provide?

This is the question regarding once NFL-greats who ‘ring-chase’ in the latter stages of their career. Will Hopkins be mainstream as a piece on the Ravens, or a slightly effective contributing piece to a team that could work without him?

Right now, Hopkins is no longer a 1000-yard receiver. However, he’s also shown that his talents, if used properly, can be associated with a team with aspirations of taking home a championship.

With Tennessee in 2023, he put up over 1000 yards, an extreme feat with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback and a lackluster supporting cast alongside him. However, in the first few games of 2024, it was apparent that Hopkins no longer fit with the Titans. So, he was dealt to Kansas City at the trade deadline, where his play did indeed improve.

It wasn’t an elite-level, but Hopkins put up over 40 yards per game as a secondary option with an elite quarterback alongside him. That type of scheme mirrors the one he is entering alongside Jackson and company in Baltimore. In fact, the Chiefs made its third straight Super Bowl last season, and only Travis Kelce had more receiving yards per game on the team than Hopkins. 

Fans shouldn’t expect any sort of improvement in production a year later. He won’t return to his old, illustrious status. However, if used properly, Hopkins is still among the best in the league in one-on-one situations.

To quote Toby Keith, he “ain’t as good as he once was.” But he can be “good once,” as he “ever was.”

Does DeAndre Hopkins make the Ravens AFC favorites?

No, and it doesn’t change much of the perception fans and analysts should have about this Ravens team in 2025. While it is undeniable that Hopkins has more left in the tank, he doesn’t push Baltimore ahead of Kansas City or Buffalo in the AFC until they say otherwise.

For years, Baltimore has tried to make the move to get them over the edge. They’ve added Roquan Smith and drafted Kyle Hamilton to boost its defense. However, they haven’t forced a turnover in the playoffs in three seasons together.

On the offense, they re-signed Jackson, added OBJ, and reshaped its offense, only to score 10 points at home in the AFC title game. Of course, the next step was when they brought in Henry. And as great as he was, he was held in check in Baltimore’s elimination game this past January.

Every year has been the year ‘predestined’ for this group. However, constant playoff letdown have limited this team’s capabilities. Baltimore has been the best regular season team in three seasons under Jackson, and yet haven’t won the AFC in a decade.

Eventually, even with what DeAndre Hopkins can provide, how much is the needle moving for the Ravens? Very little.

The Chiefs and the Bills, the two most recent teams to eliminate Baltimore, aren’t going anywhere. Until they can produce in the postseason, the Ravens will be known as the elite squad that can never get it done in the postseason.

And as great of a move as it was, it’s shocking to believe that Hopkins will change that narrative in 2025.