The Washington Commanders are currently boasting a strong offense, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, contributing to a 5-2 record. Despite their success, the team still has areas for improvement, particularly in their wide receiver corps. While Terry McLaurin continues to perform at a high level as the team’s primary receiving option, the rest of the receiver group lacks consistency and depth.
That look……..#Titans pic.twitter.com/pr8r91unqR
— Wes Wisley (@TitansStats) October 20, 2024
One possible upgrade to the Commanders’ receiving group is DeAndre Hopkins, a veteran wide receiver with a history of excellence, including multiple 1,000-yard seasons. Hopkins currently plays for the Tennessee Titans, a team that has struggled this season and sits at 1-5. His performance this year has been disappointing, with only one catch for negative yards in a recent blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills. Furthermore, Hopkins seemed “detached” from the Titans’ offense, raising questions about his future with the team.
Hopkins’ potential availability in a trade makes the Commanders an intriguing landing spot, primarily due to his familiarity with Kingsbury’s offensive system. During their time together with the Arizona Cardinals, Hopkins enjoyed some of the best seasons of his career, including back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns. Adding Hopkins to the Commanders’ offense could provide Daniels with another reliable, experienced target to continue his development.
A trade for Hopkins would likely not require Washington to give up significant assets, possibly only needing a Day 3 draft pick or a third-rounder. Financially, the Commanders would be responsible for the remainder of Hopkins’ $8.27 million base salary for the 2024 season, which would cost around $5.7 million for the year. Given the team’s current cap space of more than $25 million, this acquisition would be financially feasible.
While Hopkins would be a short-term rental, his presence could offer substantial benefits for the Commanders. Not only would he be a versatile receiver capable of playing both inside and outside, but his ability to attract defensive attention could also create opportunities for other young players like Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown, and Ben Sinnott. His veteran presence could also help these young receivers develop.
In summary, trading for DeAndre Hopkins makes a lot of sense for the Commanders. It provides them with an experienced receiver who can complement McLaurin and elevate Daniels’ game. Even if the move doesn’t lead to immediate success, the financial risk is low, and the potential benefits—such as making a deeper playoff push—are significant. For a team with playoff aspirations like Washington, this kind of calculated gamble could be well worth it.
