Exclusive: Cowboys Land Ex-$81 Million Receiver in the Proposed Trade
This seasoned receiver would be best suited to join the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys would acquire five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans in return for a fifth-round pick, according to a trade scenario put up by Mario Herrera Jr. of Inside the Star. Herrera contends that despite Hopkins’ strong return to the field this season (75 receptions for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns despite poor quarterback play), the Titans may decide to acquire younger players and accumulate draft picks.
Hopkins, 32, may be disposable as Tennessee attempts to develop a younger quarterback in Will Levis, a second-year player, according to Herrera Jr. Only one of the Titans’ four 2025 draft selections is in the top three rounds. Dallas ought to trade Nuk for a fifth-round selection.
The Reasons for the Cowboys to Sign DeAndre Hopkins
Following Michael Gallup Jr.’s release this offseason, the Cowboys would undoubtedly appreciate the addition of a third experienced receiver. However, Herrera emphasizes that the Titans would have to absorb a portion of Herrera’s 2024 salary because of the Cowboys’ recent cap-restrained strategy.
According to Herrera, “the Titans would have to absorb a portion of his 2024 salary in order to carry out this trade.” “Stephen Jones’s $18 million cap hit will make him laugh.”
Hopkins is about to start the last year of a two-year, $26 million contract he signed with the Titans in 2023. Hopkins previously inked a $81 million contract extension with the Houston Texans in 2017.
It is conceivable for the Cowboys to add a third seasoned receiver. Dallas’ top two receivers going into training camp will probably be CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks, with rookie Ryan Flournoy, Jalen Tolbert, and rookie KaVontae Turpkin vying for the slot position.
In his first two seasons of play, Tolbert has only caught 29 passes for 268 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Turpin has mostly played return specialist, recording just 13 receptions for 136 receiving yards and three scores in his career.
Why it’s Unlikely That the Titans Will Trade DeAndre Hopkins
It’s unlikely that Tennessee will trade their finest and most dependable receiving weapon before Will Levis’ first full season as a starter, even though the Titans won’t likely be challenging for a Super Bowl this season with Levis, a second-year quarterback, entering training camp as the clear starter. Even at thirty-two, Hopkins remains the Titans’ preferred wide receiver. Former first-round selection Treylon Burks, on the other hand, has shown himself to be a disappointment thus far in his career, managing just 49 receptions for 665 receiving yards and one score in his first two seasons.
With 28 catches for 370 receiving yards and three touchdowns, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine was the Titans’ second-best receiver. In reality, Hopkins receives a disproportionate amount of targets and receptions among wide receivers. He was seventh on the squad in terms of catches and receiving yards.
Dallas would undoubtedly be happy to acquire Hopkins, who had previously shown interest in joining the Cowboys in the 2023 offseason.
But it’s not really conceivable that the Titans would cut ties with Hopkins as their rookie quarterback, Levis, approaches a critical season in his development. especially considering that Hopkins is an established standout receiver and the Cowboys are just trading away a fifth-round draft selection to acquire him.
