It’s hard to believe that DeAndre Hopkins has been released by the Arizona Cardinals. It’s especially hard to believe he’s been cut before June 1st—the date when the NFL grants teams some salary cap relief when releasing players—but it may be that the Cards are looking ahead to a more competitive 2024 with Hop’s hit completely off their books. For 2023, though, Hopkins is no longer in Arizona. As a result, the Cardinals now boast one of the league’s worst set of offensive weapons. But which other destinations can actually increase his value in dynasty fantasy football?
Cardinals released DeAndre Hopkins. pic.twitter.com/c0f9UaabYA
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 26, 2023
As for Hopkins’ NFL future, he’s already identified the quarterbacks he’d like to play with in a recent interview:
DeAndre Hopkins was asked on @IAMATHLETEpod which QBs he'd love to have throwing him the ball. #Bills QB Josh Allen was quickly his first answer.
Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert rounded out his top-5.pic.twitter.com/gtepzf9JD4
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 22, 2023
While this doesn’t mean much, it’s clear Nuk values excellent QB play and a win-now team. So let’s look at contending teams who could also elevate DHop’s dynasty fantasy football value heading into the 2023 season.
Dynasty Fantasy Football Landing Spot Impact
The Up and Comers: New York Jets
According to Spotrac, the Jets are the oldest team in the NFL. They also have the most projected cap room of any other team by a landslide. Signing Hop to a multi-year contract is sure to be part of their pitch.
We know Garrett Wilson should earn the most targets, but he’s still never worked with new QB Aaron Rodgers. We know Rodgers has brought a few of his trusted guys into town, but Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb are nowhere near the caliber of Wilson or Hopkins. So there’s plenty of room and a clear need for the win-now Jets to bring in one of the best wideouts of the past decade and further legitimize their push to contend for the Lombardi. And, if Hopkins signs with the Jets, The League Winners Thomas’s buy low of Allen Lazard is in serious jeopardy.
In reality, Hopkins is a huge get for a team about to take off. In dynasty fantasy football, it’s not a big upgrade for Nuk, but it’s still better than whatever was happening under Kliff Kingsbury in Arizona.
Dynasty Fantasy Football Market Reaction
Hopkins – up; Wilson – neutral; Lazard – down
The Old Dogs: Kansas City Chiefs
Yes, the Chiefs are on Hopkins’ list, but they are also likely to be in salary cap hell, with the least projected space of any team in the league. Yet the Chiefs wide receiver room is also a who’s who of ‘who?’, with Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling returning to lead a wide-open group. It’s Kelce and everyone else for the reigning champs, which is why a Hopkins’ arrival seems possible.
Kansas City was second-worst in the league targeting their WRs in 2022, per Fantasy Pros, so they could use the help. Andy Reid and company should find a way to free up cap space to acquire the 5-time Pro Bowler. It’s a move that makes too much sense, as long as they can work out their issue with too little cents.
If KC manages to bring in DH to pair with Kelce, it’ll instantly elevate an offense that is already nearly unstoppable. And, it’ll be one of the few places Hop can land that will dramatically increase his value.
Dynasty Fantasy Football Market Reaction
Hopkins – up; Kelce – neutral; Toney/Skyy – down
The Always-a-Bridesmaids: Buffalo Bill
The Bills’ identity is already cemented as the runners-up of the NFL. In addition to their legacy of losing 4 straight Super Bowls in the 1990s, they’ve also been bounced from the playoffs by the defending AFC champion in 3 straight seasons. It’s enough to drive an excellent head coach like Sean McDermott insane enough to acquire an aging, elite WR to bolster his already humming offense.
While Buffalo doesn’t clearly need Hopkins, he could be the missing piece that finally puts them over the top. Beyond the exceptional Stefon Diggs, no one has stepped up as the #2 target for Josh Allen. Diggs has been so dominant, there hasn’t been room for anyone else while he’s been busy commanding a top-5 target total and earning a top-10 fantasy finish at the position, per Player Profiler, in each of his 3 seasons with the team.
While incredibly productive, the Bills offense would benefit from a legitimate threat on the other side of the field. Even if operating out of the slot, it’s a huge upgrade to an already great offense. The Buffalo Bills would become a consensus Super Bowl pick this offseason with Hopkins in the fold.
Dynasty Fantasy Football Market Reaction
Hopkins – up; Diggs – neutral; Gabe/Kincaid – down
The Last Ditch Efforts: Cleveland Browns
It’s too much fun dreaming about a Watson/Hopkins reunion, so the Browns make this list, too. Of course, their past production history could rekindle and revive the careers of both players. But there’s also the Browns’ hopes to contend in a loaded AFC to consider.
Amari Cooper and Nick Chubb aren’t getting any younger. Kevin Stefanski may not have many chances left to get this team over the hump. A move for an all-pro caliber receiver to pair with Cooper may be what the doctor ordered for a team and a coach on the brink of irrelevance.
The Stefanski-led Browns have declined with each year of his tenure, according to Pro Football Reference. If Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry want to ensure that the Baker Mayfield experiment doesn’t become their legacy, it makes sense to make a splash beyond the acquisition of Elijah Moore.
Dynasty Fantasy Football Market Reaction
Hopkins – up; Cooper – neutral; Moore (and everyone else) – down
We know Hopkins wants to play with great QBs and have a chance to win. All these spots offer just that, but they also offer a significant boost to his dynasty value. Philadelphia, Baltimore, and other true-contending teams have crowded rooms with talented players all vying for touches. This would make him a less appealing dynasty fantasy football asset in 2023.
If you have Hop, you’re rooting for him to land in one of these spots and, depending on your situation, sell or enjoy his weekly WR2 stats. Otherwise, you might be left holding the bag on an aging, formerly elite wideout, ship-chasing in production purgatory.
Jeremy Shulman
Jeremy is an avid football fan from New York who lives in Amsterdam and roots for the Patriots. This walking contradiction has played fantasy football for over than 20 years. He is now a Senior Dynasty Writer at The League Winners. In his spare time, he writes and edits professionally.
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