The Arizona Cardinals are going through some serious changes. Shortly after their Week 18 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the team parted ways with head coach Kliff Kingsbury. In addition, general manager Steve Keim stepped down due to medical concerns. So, with an inevitable rebuild incoming, the team has started to make it known that they are interested in shedding cap space. One of the ways the Cardinals are interested in doing so is by parting ways with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins via trade.
In real life, Hopkins has a no-trade clause, so he will have some say over his next stop (he wants a new contract as well). But in Madden — where no such thing exists — the possibilities are endless.
Potential DeAndre Hopkins Trades
Before we trade for Arizona Cardinals star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, let’s look at his contract, which could very well be re-structured with his new team.
Credit: Spotrac
The next thing we must wonder about is what the compensation will look like. In real life, we are probably looking at a conditional draft pick. A second or third-round pick sounds right. However, you may have to part with a first-round pick or even a promising player in Madden. After all, Hopkins is currently rated 95 overall, with some of the better pass-catching stats in the game. Here’s a look at Hopkins’ latest ratings in Madden 23.
Now that we know what it will cost for Hopkins, let’s try to find him the perfect landing spot.
Chicago Bears – Cap Space: $116,025,561 (44 Players Signed)
Heading into next season, no team has more cap space than the Chicago Bears. According to Spotrac, the Bears currently have $116 million in unused cap space heading into the 2023 NFL season. Additionally, you might argue that no other team has a more significant need for a wide receiver than the Bears.
Yes, Chicago made a deadline deal for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool, but more was needed to inject new life into Chicago’s offense. Hopkins would do all that and more. Hopkins in Chi-town would be the perfect fit from a video game standpoint. Whether or not he would waive his no-trade clause is a question for another day. Nevertheless, pairing him up with Justin Fields in Chicago is best for both sides.
New York Giants – Cap Space: $54,342,062 (37 Players Signed)
The New York Giants proved to be serious threats in the NFC after defeating the Minnesota Vikings on Super Wild Card Weekend. Even more impressive is how well quarterback Daniel Jones looked with new head coach Brian Daboll calling the shots. However, the one thing preventing the Giants’ offense from reaching new heights is their need for playmakers at the wide receiver position. When they went up against the Eagles, it’s fair to say they just did not have the talent to keep up.
Big-ticket signing Kenny Golladay has proven to be a waste of money in two seasons with the team, in part due to several injuries. Thankfully, the Giants have a ton of cap space, but not nearly as much as the Bears. However, the need for a playmaking wide receiver is just as urgent in New York as in Chicago. And with how well Jones looked this season at times, that may be one of the reasons Hopkins wants to be traded to the Big Apple.
In the real world, it is anyone’s guess as to whether or not Hopkins gets traded to the G-Men. But in Madden 23, the Giants are near the top of the list.
New England Patriots – Cap Space: $44,114,524 (59 Players Signed)
As a Dolphins fan, this one scares me a bit, but it would make way too much sense from a football standpoint. Since the days of Randy Moss, the Patriots have been lacking a big-play wide receiver. The quarterback position might not be as straightforward as it once was, but bringing in a dominant WR1 would certainly help Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, or whatever other tricks Belichick may have up his sleeves.
Bill Belichick is also a big fan of Hopkins.
Was Bill Belichick laying the groundwork for DeAndre Hopkins to end up with the #Patriots? 👀
(🎥: @NFL)pic.twitter.com/sDnYwcGUFK
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) December 14, 2022
Additionally, the Patriots would be the perfect destination for Hopkins, especially if the Cardinals want to ship him to the AFC, which should be at the top of their list of things to do. And for New England, bringing in a player of Hopkins’ caliber may be the only way they can compete in the up-and-coming AFC East. The cherry on top is how much it seems like Belichick loves and respects him.
Hopkins catching passes from Mac Jones is something Patriots fans could get used to.
Baltimore Ravens – Cap Space: $33,801,209 (50 Players Signed)
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is one of the cheesiest Madden players in the history of the game. And with a fresh, new commitment from his GM and head coach, there’s an excellent chance Jackson gets a long-term deal. Now, they need to find him some playmakers.
Wide receiver Rashod Bateman is a stud, and the tight ends in Baltimore are in the upper echelon. Mark Andrews is one of the best tight ends in the game, and Isaiah Likely showed he belonged. But a game-changing wide receiver that can go up and get anything? Now that’s a sight we’ve all been waiting to see, and something Jackson has been missing in Baltimore.
The Ravens may have other urgent needs, and with a recent trade for linebacker Roquan Smith, the team might not have the draft capital. But finding a way to add Hopkins to Baltimore’s new-look offense should be necessary for all Madden players — and GM Eric DeCosta.
Kansas City Chiefs – Cap Space: $14,709,258 (35 Players Signed)
This may be the most improbable fit, considering the Chiefs only have $14 million in cap space and several areas of the roster to fill. However, thinking about what Hopkins would do for some of these other teams got me thinking, why not Kansas City?
The Chiefs have been known to make bold trades in the past, and landing Patrick Mahomes a playmaker like Hopkins would guarantee the Chiefs are the team to beat for years to come. It would also be Hopkins’ best chance at chasing a ring — if that’s something he still holds near and dear to his heart. It’s the least likely of these five teams from a pure cap perspective, but depending on what happens with the Chiefs the rest of the way in these playoffs, it could be worth thinking about.
Bottom Line
No matter where he ends up, the team that gets DeAndre Hopkins will be getting one of the league’s most dynamic pass-catchers, even if it is later in his career. But in Madden 23, what Hopkins could do for you and your franchise can be the difference between a first-round exit and hoisting the Lombardi. Personally, I hope he ends up in Baltimore, so Jackson can take the next step in his NFL career. Pairing Hopkins alongside Bateman, Andrews, and Dobbins with Jackson playing point guard and a new offensive coordinator? Jackson would prove once and for all that he is one of the league’s best quarterbacks.
Where do you think DeAndre Hopkins will end up this offseason, and what is the best fit in Madden 23?
