Deandre Hopkins Visiting Patriots Next Week

[50-yard-line]

Let's start by being really clear here: there's no one on the Patriots (and on many other teams) with the talent of DHop. I'm not dissing the Pats WRs here - Parker is a very good receiver, as is Juju, and Bourne has shown flashes to be as good as either. But DHop is another level, and showed last year that he can still play.


Also, Gisecki should be on the field with Henry A LOT. I would not be surprised to see Bill extend both if their chemistry together and with Mac shows what I think it can.


I'm not sold on Thornton, but would love to see him NOT doing short crosses over the middle and running into 240 LBs. He's got speed to burn, but that raises the floor, not the ceiling. Production is all that matters. Maybe he'll get there, maybe not.


I'm illogically high on Boutte and Douglas. So what? They have a summer to prove they belong on the field. Stay healthy and prove it.

If you can sign DHop without breaking your bank, do it. Just do it. While I love the idea of developing some young WR talent, two years is an eternity in the NFL.

If the three young'uns (if Cunningham shows anything, keep him as your QB3) show they belong on the field, the two most trade-able players are Parker and Bourne. Around 6m savings with either. But Captain's 100% here: you don't get rid of proven talent until cheaper talent shows its worth, particularly at a skill position, particularly at WR.

 

[BTTA]

The Pats have the most effective cap space in the League in each of 2024 and 2025 (and they are 14th for the current year). So the one thing we have a lot of is cap space over the next three years.

What does "effective" mean in this case?

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

Let's start by being really clear here: there's no one on the Patriots (and on many other teams) with the talent of DHop. I'm not dissing the Pats WRs here - Parker is a very good receiver, as is Juju, and Bourne has shown flashes to be as good as either. But DHop is another level, and showed last year that he can still play.


Also, Gisecki should be on the field with Henry A LOT. I would not be surprised to see Bill extend both if their chemistry together and with Mac shows what I think it can.


I'm not sold on Thornton, but would love to see him NOT doing short crosses over the middle and running into 240 LBs. He's got speed to burn, but that raises the floor, not the ceiling. Production is all that matters. Maybe he'll get there, maybe not.


I'm illogically high on Boutte and Douglas. So what? They have a summer to prove they belong on the field. Stay healthy and prove it.

If you can sign DHop without breaking your bank, do it. Just do it. While I love the idea of developing some young WR talent, two years is an eternity in the NFL.

If the three young'uns (if Cunningham shows anything, keep him as your QB3) show they belong on the field, the two most trade-able players are Parker and Bourne. Around 6m savings with either. But Captain's 100% here: you don't get rid of proven talent until cheaper talent shows its worth, particularly at a skill position, particularly at WR.

Very fair analysis.

 

[PatsFan2]

Let's not get too carried away here. Gronk is the GOAT TE (at least until Kelce inevitably overtakes him) and Moss at his peak was arguably the best receiver in the history of the league. It's not quite as bad as comparing Tyquan to Metcalf (which happened) but it's probably raising the bar too high for Hopkins. Remember too, his quarterback is going to be Mac Jones and not Tom Brady like Gronk had his entire career and Moss had for his GOAT season.

I think it's fair to say Hopkins is still a top 15 WR, i.e. he'll give us a WR1 better than what over half the teams in the league have, and he'll slide everyone else into their rightful spot (JuJu WR2, Parker WR3, Bourne WR4), which is huge, especially for JuJu who probably can be contained by most top CBs in the league (so the downgraded matchup will benefit him greatly). So, while Hopkins will be a difference maker for the 2023 offense for sure, he's not morphing us into the 2007 or 2011 Patriots. I'll be content with an above average competitive offense along side what should be a top 10 defense.

All I'm saying which is already stated is D-Hop would open things up for Juju and others. I Guy like Parker wouldn't my point D-Hop would make a difference on this current Team. Also Mac could have a Goff like turnaround.

 

[Triumph]

Ummm..... If you think Hopkins is a deep ball WR, you are grossly misinformed. Hopkins is the same player Parker is except much better and not injury prone. He is a slower (but not slow) receiver who just has an a great ability to get open or win most of the time with contested balls. He is not burner.

It almost seems that you don't want Hopkins because you are afraid that Jones will have a good year and be the Patriots' QB going forward

Looks like Im not the one uniformed.

Hopkins and Parker are exactly alike. Used alike. Anytime you have a Receiver averaging 10 yards (before catch) per reception that places you in the Tyreek Hill/ Justin Jefferson world.

DeAndre Hopkins vs. DeVante Parker: Head-to-Head Stats Comparison | Stathead

Compare Players: Check out the head-to-head stats of DeAndre Hopkins and DeVante Parker including their awards, honors, championships, playoff and regular season stats, and much more on Stathead

stathead.com

It makes no sense to sign Hopkins anyway because Corkys game is YAC. He is not a QB throwing for the fences unless you like INTs.

 

[PatsFan2]

What's even better is, by keeping Parker then Thornton's back to the #5/6 spot where he belongs until he himself proves otherwise.

Hopkins - JuJu - Parker
Bourne - Douglas - Thornton
Boutte

Injuries (unfortunately) & performance will sort-out the details.

Coach cap: IF T Thornton doesn't make leaps to make D Parker insignificant then he Harry sucks. Thornton skill set suits this Offense while Parkers diminishing skill set doesn't... Parker is not that good.

 

[Triumph]

He's literally the same age as Devante Parker.

It would be nice to have a young, dynamic WR on a rookie contract for a change.

 

[PatsFan2]

Looks like Im not the one uniformed.

Hopkins and Parker are exactly alike. Used alike. Anytime you have a Receiver averaging 10 yards (before catch) per reception that places you in the Tyreek Hill/ Justin Jefferson world.

DeAndre Hopkins vs. DeVante Parker: Head-to-Head Stats Comparison | Stathead

Compare Players: Check out the head-to-head stats of DeAndre Hopkins and DeVante Parker including their awards, honors, championships, playoff and regular season stats, and much more on Stathead

stathead.com

It makes no sense to sign Hopkins anyway because Corkys game is YAC. He is not a QB throwing for the fences unless you like INTs.

Let's see how Mac fares in a OB's Offense he has worked hard all Off-season we'll hear much more from Mini camp next week.

 

[crawhammer]

Nothing to decide. Parkers skill-set is redundant with Hopkins on board.
Bourne brings value.
Parker goes

This makes no sense to me. Since when is a solid WR redundant? The Patriots know more than anyone that finding WR talent (through the draft) can be a hazardous endeavor. Parker has decent size and a WR2 caliber skill set so he potentially could thrive in 3-wide as the WR3 against a lesser DB.

I like Bourne too but he's not as proven as Parker to handle a WR1/2 volume, so Bourne is my WR4 which he should be more than capable of handling. Bourne is also someone I would trust taking on an expanded role in case of injury (which is probable). Trusting Tyquan at this point is merely a projection.

This is a very good WR corps:

WR1 Hopkins
WR2 JuJu
WR3 Parker
WR4 Bourne
WR5 Tyquan/Boutte/Douglas

Who doesn't like that??

 

[PatsFan2]

If they ever go 5-wide - i.e.: zero-protection - then Gesicki should be one of them, aligned in the slot; he could do some serious seam damage if Mac has time to see him... and can make a good seam throw, something he let's hope has been working to improve...

Nice observations Coach cap: Mac and the 2022 Misfit OCs avoided the TE seam throw like the plague boy did that limit our Offense. I am sure OC BOB is putting more emphasis on it. Can Mac consistently make those tough throws without hanging the Football?? We'll see.

 

[PatsFan2]

This makes no sense to me. Since when is a solid WR redundant? The Patriots know more than anyone that finding WR talent (through the draft) can be a hazardous endeavor. Parker has decent size and a WR2 caliber skill set so he potentially could thrive in 3-wide as the WR3 against a lesser DB.

I like Bourne too but he's not as proven as Parker to handle a WR1/2 volume, so Bourne is my WR4 which he should be more than capable of handling. Bourne is also someone I would trust taking on an expanded role in case of injury (which is probable). Trusting Tyquan at this point is merely a projection.

This is a very good WR corps:

WR1 Hopkins
WR2 JuJu
WR3 Parker
WR4 Bourne
WR5 Tyquan/Boutte/Douglas

Who doesn't like that??

Not gonna lie I wanted George Pickens instead of T Thornton but what's done can't be undone. That said IF T Thornton is not significantly better than Parker in TC 2023 Houston we have a problem. I am in the camp that Parker is redundant I don't get the love for him.

 

[RIpats88]

Are there honestly people on this board that dont want Hopkins and are making a case that Parker is the same talent at the x spot? literally a week ago we were talking about how the patriot receiver corps is just "okay" now a guy like hopkins could sign here and some fans are like "meh too much money"

he immediately would be our best receiver. and put up some pretty great numbers last year in limited games. If a talent of that level wants to come to your team, pay him.

hopkins
juju
Bourne
Thornton

is much better than

juju
parker
bourne
thornton

 

[JMC00]

b-b-bbut this goes against the people that said he'd never want to come here because he hates O'Brien. Not at all saying he is signing but if O'Brien was an issue he wouldn't be taking a visit.

 

[crawhammer]

It makes no sense to sign Hopkins anyway because Corkys game is YAC. He is not a QB throwing for the fences unless you like INTs.

This is both a good and a bad point. Because basically you're saying don't sign Hopkins (a legitimate top 15 WR in the NFL) because Mac isn't good enough, which by the way is exactly why we absolutely should be signing Hopkins. I agree Mac probably isn't good enough but he's the guy right now so I'm loading up as much as possible around him (because it's what needs to happen for the offense to have a chance of being truly successful).

YAC is great but you can't rely on it exclusively. Your quarterback HAS TO "throw for the fences" at times or otherwise defenses are going to smother your short passing game. Mac HAS TO be better at the downfield throws or he'll truly end up not being good enough. But in the meantime I'm not limiting my playbook and I'm definitely not shying away from elite WR talent (which in fact opens up a playbook).

 

[SlowGettingUp]

What does "effective" mean in this case?

You first fill up any empty slots in your roster with minimum-level players and then subtract that total from your cap.

Every other team has to some extent borrowed cap from 2024/25/26 while the Patriots have not. For example, the Eagles in 2026 have only some $68m in effective cap space compared with the Pats $260m. So a very different "win now" philosophy - but the risk for the Eagles (and similar teams that sign long contracts with void years) is that if a player gets injured or cut they will end up with a lot of dead money. By contrast, the Pats have very few players signed for 2026.

So the bottom line here is that the Pats have more flexibility to give out say a 3-year contract to Hopkins than any other team in the League. I predict he ends up here.

Take a look at the out years here:

NFL Salary Cap Space | Over The Cap

NFL salary cap space estimates for all 32 teams

overthecap.com

 

[RIpats88]

This is both a good and a bad point. Because basically you're saying don't sign Hopkins (a legitimate top 15 WR in the NFL) because Mac isn't good enough, which by the way is exactly why we absolutely should be signing Hopkins. I agree Mac probably isn't good enough but he's the guy right now so I'm loading up as much as possible around him (because it's what needs to happen for the offense to have a chance of being truly successful).

YAC is great but you can't rely on it exclusively. Your quarterback HAS TO "throw for the fences" at times or otherwise defenses are going to smother your short passing game. Mac HAS TO be better at the downfield throws or he'll truly end up not being good enough. But in the meantime I'm not limiting my playbook and I'm definitely not shying away from elite WR talent (which in fact opens up a playbook).

Tua was never a guy to 'throw for the fences" either until he got Tyreek Hill opposite Waddle......maybe just maybe the talent at receiver helps the Quarterback just as vice versa. I mean the narrative on Tua until he got hill was that he had a poor arm and couldnt throw deep. now all of a sudden hes one of the best deep passers in the league....his arm didnt get better. his receivers did...its also no coincidence that Jaylen Hurts became better once they signed AJ Brown.

Mac threw plenty of times deep. that was Patricias dumb offense "no risk it no biscuit!" problem is our deep guys were Parker/Thornton.....vs. Miamis being tyreek/waddle...its the EXACT reason why you should get a guy like Hopkins. a guy who fights for the ball and is never "really covered" gives the QB a larger margin for error on those deep throws.

honestly in the NFL sometimes the difference between "what a bad interception!" or "OMG what a great play!" is just the receiver being that much better where they can snag the ball away on those 50-50 calls vs. the cornerback

 

[crawhammer]

Not gonna lie I wanted George Pickens instead of T Thornton

Umm yeah, you think? Pickens looks like a beast. My feeling is Patriots fans will be cringing over Pickens v Thornton for many seasons to come.

That said IF T Thornton is not significantly better than Parker in TC 2023 Houston we have a problem.

Significantly better?? Just going full throttle with the projection? My expectation for Tyquan is much lower... just replicating Agholor's limited production will meet mine.

 

[Rob0729]

Looks like Im not the one uniformed.

Hopkins and Parker are exactly alike. Used alike. Anytime you have a Receiver averaging 10 yards (before catch) per reception that places you in the Tyreek Hill/ Justin Jefferson world.

DeAndre Hopkins vs. DeVante Parker: Head-to-Head Stats Comparison | Stathead

Compare Players: Check out the head-to-head stats of DeAndre Hopkins and DeVante Parker including their awards, honors, championships, playoff and regular season stats, and much more on Stathead

stathead.com

It makes no sense to sign Hopkins anyway because Corkys game is YAC. He is not a QB throwing for the fences unless you like INTs.

If Hopkins is a Tyreek Hill or Justin Jefferson typse of receiver, sign me up. Hill and Jefferson are the perfect receivers for Mac Jones. Both guys are huge YAC receivers. Last year, Jefferson was the #1 WR in YAC last year. Hill was 10th (Waddle was 6th) last year. Both those guys have the QBs that Mac Jones is most compared to in the NFL in Tua and Kirk Cousins.

But Hopkins are not those guys. Anyone comparing DeAndre Hopkins to Tyreek Hill doesn't know football. They couldn't be more different. Hill is a smaller (5'10") speedster while Hopkins is more of a bigger possession WR. Hill just gets open and quickly. Hopkins can fight for contested balls with the best of them. Hopkins never had great speed and is slower today than he was 5 years ago.

And actually, when Parker was healthy and they got rid of the offense where Jones was throwing 50-50 balls, Parker and Jones played pretty well together. Against Buffalo, he caught 6 of 7 targets for 80 yards and two TDs. He was 4 for 4 for 80 yards vs. the Vikes. He had a 156 yards vs. the Ravens. The problem was less Jones and more Parker's inability to stay on the field and Patricia's inability to call an offense. If Parker is still on the team, isn't supplanted by Hopkins or someone else as a starter, and can stay healthy, I am expecting him to have a very good year.

 

[RIpats88]

If Hopkins is a Tyreek Hill or Justin Jefferson typse of receiver, sign me up. Hill and Jefferson are the perfect receivers for Mac Jones. Both guys are huge YAC receivers. Last year, Jefferson was the #1 WR in YAC last year. Hill was 10th (Waddle was 6th) last year. Both those guys have the QBs that Mac Jones is most compared to in the NFL in Tua and Kirk Cousins.

But Hopkins are not those guys. Anyone comparing DeAndre Hopkins to Tyreek Hill doesn't know football. They couldn't be more different. Hill is a smaller (5'10") speedster while Hopkins is more of a bigger possession WR. Hill just gets open and quickly. Hopkins can fight for contested balls with the best of them. Hopkins never had great speed and is slower today than he was 5 years ago.

And actually, when Parker was healthy and they got rid of the offense where Jones was throwing 50-50 balls, Parker and Jones played pretty well together. Against Buffalo, he caught 6 of 7 targets for 80 yards and two TDs. He was 4 for 4 for 80 yards vs. the Vikes. He had a 156 yards vs. the Ravens. The problem was less Jones and more Parker's inability to stay on the field and Patricia's inability to call an offense. If Parker is still on the team, isn't supplanted by Hopkins or someone else as a starter, and can stay healthy, I am expecting him to have a very good year.

problem is Parker has had problems staying healthy....he's a very good player and I agree he would have a very good year if he can do those things. Supposedly he is having a solid camp. I think the question is more, is he as good as hopkins? that answer is no. So if you can upgrade at that spot why not?

 

[Rob0729]

Tua was never a guy to 'throw for the fences" either until he got Tyreek Hill opposite Waddle......maybe just maybe the talent at receiver helps the Quarterback just as vice versa. I mean the narrative on Tua until he got hill was that he had a poor arm and couldnt throw deep. now all of a sudden hes one of the best deep passers in the league....his arm didnt get better. his receivers did...its also no coincidence that Jaylen Hurts became better once they signed AJ Brown.

Mac threw plenty of times deep. that was Patricias dumb offense "no risk it no biscuit!" problem is our deep guys were Parker/Thornton.....vs. Miamis being tyreek/waddle...its the EXACT reason why you should get a guy like Hopkins. a guy who fights for the ball and is never "really covered" gives the QB a larger margin for error on those deep throws.

honestly in the NFL sometimes the difference between "what a bad interception!" or "OMG what a great play!" is just the receiver being that much better where they can snag the ball away on those 50-50 calls vs. the cornerback

I still maintain that I think Mac is better than Tua and he has a better arm than Tua. Tua is just in the perfect situation with two #1 WRs and a system to maximize his strengths. If they changed places last year, Mac would be the rising star and people would be talking about Tua getting benched.