Deandre Hopkins Visiting Patriots Next Week

[One-If-By-Sea]

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.

I see that Hopkins has agreed to visit and talk it out with BOB. Who knows the result of that conversation - could go either way. It still could be an issue, I don't know if Hopkins or BOB even know for sure right now.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

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

This. I can think of a bunch of interceptions on long throws to Parker early last year that Hopkins likely would have snagged. Would have completely changed the complexion of those games - not just the 7 (or 10) point immediate swing, but in terms of opening things up underneath as safeties stay back.

 

[Rob0729]

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?

I like Parker, but I like Hopkins better. And with Parker not being able to stay on the field, you gotta make the upgrade if you can.

I was against trading for Hopkins when people were talking about a second round pick or more. As a street free agent, I am on board.

I am still not high on the Pats' ability to land him, but the fact he is making a visit is a positive sign.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I am still not high on the Pats' ability to land him

The Pats have to offer the most guaranteed money. Not too hard when the team has the most cap space.

 

[RIpats88]

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.

I 100% agree....which is the point of my post. people keep making this argument (well usually the same anti mac crowd) that don't upgrade the receivers because Mac sucks! Yet there are many examples in recent NFL history where the play of the QB is directly correlated to the upgrades in the receiver talent.

Tua - Tyreek Hill
Jaylen hurts -AJ Brown
Josh Allen - Diggs

heck, we can even say Brady going to Tampa with Mike evans...went from 25 TD's to 45 TD's. he didn't magically remember how to be the goat again. his receiver talent improved..

 

[Rob0729]

I 100% agree....which is the point of my post. people keep making this argument (well usually the same anti mac crowd) that don't upgrade the receivers because Mac sucks! Yet there are many examples in recent NFL history where the play of the QB is directly correlated to the upgrades in the receiver talent.

Tua - Tyreek Hill
Jaylen hurts -AJ Brown
Josh Allen - Diggs

heck, we can even say Brady going to Tampa with Mike evans...went from 25 TD's to 45 TD's. he didn't magically remember how to be the goat again. his receiver talent improved..

Yes, the simple fact is the guys like Brady, Manning, and Mahomes who can raise a mediocre receiving corp are rare. Most QBs need good talent around them to be good.

I think some of the people who don't want to get good talent for Mac are saying it because they are afraid that Jones will turn out to be pretty good and then they are stuck with him. There are at least a few guys on this board who have an irrational hate of the guy.

 

[crawhammer]

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.

Hill and Jefferson are perfect receivers for all 32 starting quarterbacks. Hill is the best WR in the league in my book and Jefferson is top 3. Hopkins is top 15, so not in the upper upper tier, but he's plenty good enough to be a fit in any offense and make any QB look better. Hopkins also has a ripple effect on most WR corps, sliding everyone down a spot and theoretically into better DB matchups.

Regarding the Mac and Cousins comparison... Cousins is an established very good NFL quarterback so it's what Mac can strive for but to this point he's not in that category. Tua also passed Mac in the QB rankings last season. I think Tua is an excellent example of what elite WRs can do for an average QB.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

heck, we can even say Brady going to Tampa with Mike evans...went from 25 TD's to 45 TD's. he didn't magically remember how to be the goat again. his receiver talent improved..

It was the addition of Brady, Gronk, Brown, and Fournette to a team that already had Evans and Godwin plus a really good o-line that made their offense really good that one year.

 

[mgteich]

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.

So they could offer say a $40m deal over three years (nice headline numbers) with say $15- $20m guaranteed over two years. Cutting Parker recoups $6m of that this year and something equivalent next year with whoever you sign if Parker is not extended. So basically costs you $4m a year if things go badly, or more if things go well and he hits his incentives. That's a good deal for what could be a significant upgrade.

$10M - $15M guaranteed is not close to enough to sign Hopkins. That being said, I could see us guaranteeing $30M.

 

[RIpats88]

It was the addition of Brady, Gronk, Brown, and Fournette to a team that already had Evans and Godwin plus a really good o-line that made their offense really good that one year.

I agree, but it's just further proof that even Brady can benefit from more talent around him on the receiver side.

 

[PWRxWLF]

I don’t think this signing is going to happen but who knows anymore? I’m surprised by the lack of news surrounding Hopkins. That just might make the signing a possibility but the lack of teams he is being linked to has me scratching my head. The OBJ news cycle was in full blast for what seemed like at least a month, then the dude goes and gets a 15M dollar deal…with the Ravens of all teams. Why is the Hopkins train so quiet? Either way, I’m at the point where I say sign the guy if you think he’ll be a fit in the locker room. We all know he’d be a fit on the field but last year is a perfect example of the output you get from guys with ****ty attitudes. If he’s a fit, sign him up. Who cares about the impact it will have on other players. Don’t get rid of Parker or Bourne to make it happen either. Just sign the guy, let them all hit the field and let the best guys play. If Douglas or Boutte can’t latch on, they’ll either find a way to contribute in another way, or end up on IR/PS to marinate. What better guy for the 3 young receivers to learn from? He’s a technician. Everything else is just fodder for the news cycle and message boards.

Aside from all of that, I am now in the camp that feels we need to give Mac all we can give him to see what he’s got. He has a legit OC again and a decent receiving corps. Give him another piece to put that group over the top. If he can’t make that work, then you will know 100% without a doubt he is not the guy going forward and you can start making plans to move on.

 

[jimnance]

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??

Clueless

 

[VJCPatriot]

I like Parker, but I like Hopkins better. And with Parker not being able to stay on the field, you gotta make the upgrade if you can.

I was against trading for Hopkins when people were talking about a second round pick or more. As a street free agent, I am on board.

I am still not high on the Pats' ability to land him, but the fact he is making a visit is a positive sign.

Sign the BEAST!!!

 

[crawhammer]

Clueless

About what? Parker is a known good receiver. Thornton is not and for all we know he's going to be another failed WR draft pick.

If Hopkins is in and Parker stays then your top 4 guys are Hop, JuJu, Parker and Bourne. If Parker goes then your top 4 guys are Hop, JuJu, Bourne and Tyquan. The group with Parker is better. So I guess I'll cluelessly take better over worse.

 

[captain stone]

Is it true that DHop does not like to,practice or is it just hype?

I read it somewhere a while back. Could be BS.

If he does not like to practice then it will never work. If it is over exaggerated then I’m on board

He doesn't, but Bill & Obie know that already, so I don't think that's gonna be the deal-breaker it might appear to be at first glance.

 

[captain stone]

This is NOT the real issue.

We would likely cut or trade one of our top 4 receivers if we acquire Hopkins.

For me, Thornton's role matters little. He won't be cut or traded. The issue would be to decide between Parker and Bourne.

Why, when we can afford all of them right now?

 

[TommyD4207]

Why, when we can afford all of them right now?

I sort of agree, take them all to camp and let them sort it out themselves.
At least for me, I'm talking about *eventually*, the Patriots are only going to keep 5WR at most on the active roster, maybe one more on the PS. And I think Parker would be the odd man out, but who knows?

 

[captain stone]

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

Yes it would... But Billy & Al Groh's kid are incapable of drafting one.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

Why, when we can afford all of them right now?

There’s no need to make any kind of cut/trade right now. Let them battle it out in preseason and then decide. Plus you never know what injuries could happen around the league. May be able to add an extra pick in 24 if that happens.

 

[captain stone]

All I'm saying which is already stated is D-Hop would open things up for Juju and others, a 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.

Wouldn't Hopkins also open things up for Parker as well?

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

Not claiming he is either; but as of now he's still > BoneyT.

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.

Don't know of anyone who Loves him; all I know is that after those first couple of disastrous games, Parker produced for Mac whenever he was on the field... BoneyT not so much.

Besides, don't other teams have more than one X-Receiver on their roster? Does that make All those dudes redundant too?

All some of us are saying is: Even if Hopkins is a Patriot by this time next week, there is No Reason Whatsoever why Parker has to be dumped immediately thereafter; let's wait until the end of TC to determine if that's gonna be necessary.