DeAndre Hopkins Trade Shouldn't Interest Browns amid Latest NFL Rumors

The Cleveland Browns are looking to rebound from a disappointing 7-10 campaign, and the work has already begun.

On Monday—the first unofficial day of free agency—they bolstered their defense by adding two talented defensive linemen:

Adding Dalvin Tomlinson and Obo Okoronkwo should help bolster a defense that logged just 34 sacks and ranked 25th in yards per carry allowed (4.7) last season. Will Cleveland next turn its attention to the offense? Perhaps.

The Browns and head coach Kevin Stefanski are looking to get more out of quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was not good in his six starts last season. Cleveland went 3-3 with the 27-year-old under center, but he posted a dismal 79.1 passer rating.

Some might advocate for a reunion between Watson and former Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Watson had two of his three Pro Bowl campaigns while playing alongside the wideout, who was a first-team All-Pro in both of those seasons.

The Arizona Cardinals are also open to trading Hopkins this offseason. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, though, the asking price is relatively high:

"The belief from teams I've spoken to is the Cardinals want hefty compensation for WR DeAndre Hopkins (a premium Day 2 pick and more). His age (30) and last year's suspension are issues for some teams, but a new team would be getting a premier receiver who, I'm told, is highly motivated to reaffirm his spot among the best."

Presumably, a "premium" Day 2 pick means a second-round selection, and at that price, Cleveland should be uninterested. While Hopkins is still a great receiver (717 yards, 3 TDS in nine games last season) and probably worth that price to a different franchise, it's too rich for the Browns.

The first reason is that Cleveland doesn't have a first-round pick until 2025 because of the Watson trade, making its second-round picks premium capital. It needs to continue strengthening its front seven, and it needs a safety to replace John Johnson III. Those are requirements that must be addressed on Day 2 of the draft.

Secondly, receiver is not the Browns' most critical need. Cleveland has a solid duo in Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones, and while it could use depth, Hopkins wouldn't be an ideal fit.

The 30-year-old's skill set would actually overlap with that of Cooper. Both are 6'1" perimeter pass-catchers who win with route-running, play strength and reliable hands rather than elite speed.

If the Browns are interested in adding a veteran receiver this offseason, they should look to add a faster field-stretching player who provides something Cooper and Peoples-Jones don't.

Players such as DJ Chark Jr. and Mecole Hardman could fill the speed role, and neither would cost trade capital to acquire.

Now, some will point to the rapport Hopkins and Watson had in Houston as a reason why he's a superior option. It should be noted, though, that the two last played together in 2019. The Browns don't know how quickly and to what extent they could reestablish their chemistry

And, if Watson is the elite signal-caller Cleveland expects him to be, he should be able to forge a rapport with the pass-catchers already on the roster.

Lastly, Hopkins will turn 31 in June. While he's still a top receiver now, there's no telling how long he can remain one. He's also only signed through the 2024 season.

Cleveland is entering its first full year with Watson and should be focused on adding players who can contribute for the long term. There's no guarantee Hopkins can be one of those, and the Browns can't afford to part with valuable draft picks in order to find out.