DeAndre Hopkins Rumors: 'Pretty Major Surprise' If Patriots Trade for Cardinals WR

If DeAndre Hopkins is traded this offseason, don't expect it to be to the New England Patriots.

According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, "Never say never, but it would be viewed as a pretty major surprise if the Patriots traded for [Hopkins]."

Howe added that Hopkins "fell out of favor with new Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien before O'Brien traded him out of Houston in 2020."

But the Patriots could use help at wideout. Jakobi Meyers was second on the team in receptions (67) and led in receiving yards (804), receiving touchdowns (six) and targets (96). While Meyers had a solid season, it wasn't ideal production from a team's No. 1 receiver.

And it was running back Rhamondre Stevenson who led the team in receptions (69) and was second in targets (88). So it's clear the Patriots need more weapons out wide for young quarterback Mac Jones, who also took a step back in 2022 (2,997 yards, 14 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, a 65.2 completion percentage, 34 sacks taken).

The result was a Patriots team that went just 8-9.

While New England hasn't always prioritized high-profile weapons on the outside, the team still provided Tom Brady with weapons like Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, Randy Moss, Rob Gronkowski and James White, among others, throughout his time with the team.

Adding more weapons this offseason should be a priority for the team, even if Hopkins isn't high on the priority list.

There's no doubt he would be a huge upgrade, though. Despite missing eight games in total, he still caught 64 passes for 717 yards and three touchdowns. In half a season, he would have been New England's second-most productive wideout.

In a full season, he no doubt would be the team's best option, and by a wide margin. But New England fans might not want to get their hopes up for this one.