The Dynasty Fantasy Football Impact of the DeAndre Hopkins release from Arizona

Ken Kelly

Over the better part of the past decade, DeAndre Hopkins has been one of the NFL’s premier receivers. Since coming into the league with the Texans in 2013, he’s posted 853 catches, 11,298 yards and 71 touchdowns during his stints with Houston and Arizona. However, after being suspended for the first six games last season for violating the league policy on substance abuse, questions started swirling about his future with the Cardinals, especially with Arizona suddenly looking like a team headed more for a rebuild than a Super Bowl. The Cardinals apparently were unable to find an adequate trade partner, so they surprisingly released Hopkins this morning, leaving the Pro Bowl receiver suddenly the most coveted commodity on the free agent market. Let’s explore what the move means from a dynasty perspective.

DeAndre Hopkins, WR FA

For the first time in his career, Hopkins will be able to choose his next team. He’s already been linked to Buffalo and Kansas City as it seems he may want to end up with a legitimate contender. If he ends up with either of those teams, his short-term value is going to rise quickly. He’s 30 years old at this point and certainly has had more great years than he’s going to but Hopkins posted 64 catches for 717 yards and scored three times in just nine games after returning from his suspension last year. Extrapolate that out over a full season and he was on pace for 120 catches, 1,354 yards and six scores. With that in mind, it’s clear Hopkins still has some juice left in the tank.

We will undoubtedly bring you the dynasty analysis once he signs with a new team but any chance you had at buying him on the cheap is likely in the tank. His ADP is going to be back on the rise wherever he lands. Still, he’s looking like he’s going to be a fairly reasonably priced player for contending teams to go after considering what he brings to the table to his new team and what he can do for a dynasty squad in the short-term.

Stay tuned.

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Marquise Brown, WR ARI

If there’s a winner in this move, it’s likely Brown. Hollywood was a bit of a disappointment last year as he posted a 67/709/3 line but one only needs to look closer at the numbers to get more excited. In short, he had his best six games of the season during the time Hopkins was suspended and didn’t post more than 61 yards or even have one touchdown after he returned. With Hopkins out of the mix, Brown is going to become the primary target once again, especially if Zach Ertz has trouble coming back from injury or gets cut this off-season. Brown’s ADP has been in the tank for the better part of a year but should be pointing up once again.

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Rondale Moore, WR ARI

It’s do or die time now for Moore who needs to return from a lost 2022 season and establish himself as a legitimate option in the passing game. Over his first two seasons, Moore has only been able to catch a total of 95 passes for 849 yards and two touchdowns, while playing in just 22 games. With Hopkins out of the way, Moore looks to be more of a focal point of the offense. He needs to get healthy and perform well this season or he’s going to risk hitting bust status.

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Other Cardinals Receivers

The rest of the depth chart consists of Greg Dortch, Michael Wilson, and Zach Pascal, among others. Dortch had his moments last season but Wilson is looking like the sleeper of the group. A talented rookie from Stanford, he’s been marred by a ton of injuries but could have a golden opportunity to establish himself as a rookie with the Cardinals. Pascal has shown flashes as well but it’s hard to see Dortch or Pascal really turning into a realistic player to count on week-to-week. At least Wilson has a higher ceiling to take a chance on.

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Kyler Murray, QB ARI

If you wondered if the Cardinals were going to truly blow things up, you’re likely wondering no more. Losing Hopkins certainly won’t help his cause but staying healthy and posting a good season without him will do wonders for his dynasty value moving forward.

ken kelly
The Dynasty Fantasy Football Impact of the DeAndre Hopkins release from Arizona