The Cleveland Browns have expressed an interest in dealing for top wide receiver talent, and one of QB Deshaun Watson’s old colleagues may be back in their sights.
On Saturday, August 31, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report proposed that the Browns acquire DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans.
“DeAndre Hopkins is a logical hypothetical target,” Ballentine stated. “The 32-year-old proved he still has it with a 1,000-yard season in 2023, but the Titans are in the midst of a rebuild, and the veteran is in his final year of contract. That’s not to mention the chemistry Hopkins has with Watson from their time together in Houston.”
Hopkins and Watson were both Texans from 2017 to 2019. During those three years, Watson appeared in two Pro Bowls and Hopkins in three. The receiver was also named All-Pro all three years, a feat he has achieved five times in his 11-year NFL career.
Browns restructured Deshaun Watson’s contract, opening the door for trade possibilities.
Hopkins hauled in 75 receptions for 1,057 yards and 7 touchdowns last year. More importantly, he completed all 17 games for the first time in three years.
The standout receiver is entering his age-32 season, as well as the second and last year of a $26 million contract with a salary cap hit of $18.3 million. The Browns just created almost $36 million in cap space by restructuring Watson’s contract, bringing their 2024 total to more than $51 million as of Saturday, the highest in the league.
Cleveland may want to carry the majority of that space over to 2025, when Watson’s cap hit will reach roughly $73 million. However, some of that money could be better spent on a player of Hopkins’ calibre for a team that is equipped to win right now.
In terms of trade value, Hopkins would most likely cost the Browns a fourth-round pick, similar to the deal the Los Angeles Chargers made with the Chicago Bears this offseason for Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen.
DeAndre Hopkins can provide the Browns with the offensive firepower they hoped Brandon Aiyuk would bring.
The Browns demonstrated a willingness to pay big on another wideout to join Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy this season by pursuing Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers.
Aiyuk turned down a trade to Cleveland in favour of signing a $120 million deal with the 49ers. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Browns offered Aiyuk a contract worth even more, in addition to a trade package that would have likely included a first-round selection and more to entice San Francisco.
“[The Browns] already were offering more money than Pittsburgh, more money than San Francisco,” Schefter said on “The Pat McAfee Show” the next day, August 29. “That was not the issue. He simply desired to go somewhere else.
In comparison, a fourth-round pick and a $18 million salary cost for Hopkins after a bounce-back season is a bargain for a significant upgrade to the receiver room.
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