DeAndre Hopkins stunned fans and experts across the league when he announced he will join the Tennessee Titans. According to reports, the receiver signed a two-year deal worth $26 million. After a stormy departure from Arizona, the receiver had been linked to the Patriots during the offseason but shocked many by joining Tennessee.
While the move significantly upgrades the Titan's lowly passing game, it is clear that Hopkins may no longer be the Pro Bowl-caliber player he once was.
DeAndre Hopkins established himself as one of the league's best receivers with the Texans, but the last two years have seen him face significant injuries. He has played just 19 combined games over the previous two seasons, posting 1,289 yards. While that is a concern for Hopkins, given his age (31 years old), other factors were at play.
After a successful 2020 season with the Cardinals, the franchise began to fall into disrepair. Controversy surrounded quarterback Kyler Murray, and the team went from Super Bowl contenders to playing for draft position. Hopkins had made it known he was unhappy, meaning he was not motivated to rush back from injury.
While the Cardinals have a lot of talent, the Titans have a more stable franchise. Hopkins will join one of the league's top running backs (Derrick Henry) and a veteran quarterback (Ryan Tannehill), giving the Titans' offense a big boost for the upcoming season.
Tennessee is clearly in win-now mode as Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill are quickly approaching their careers' end. The team allowed star receiver AJ Brown to leave last season, and their offense (and season) suffered as a result. The Titans' window is too small to fix the receiver position through the draft, which pushed them to make a splash in free agency.
The Titans had seen what Tannehill and Henry could do when they were complimented by an elite wide receiver, and they hope to recapture that form by adding Hopkins. At his best, the former Cardinal can match or surpass the skill of AJ Brown, but his health is more of a concern. Still, his talent level is the best chance the team has to make one more run at a Super Bowl.
NFL betting sites have already updated their odds for the AFC East since the Hopkins signing was announced. BetMGM Sportsbook has the Titans at +325 to win the division, with the favored Jaguars moving to -155. It is clear bookmakers believe the Hopkins move makes the Titans better, but they are not sold that he can stay healthy.
While Jacksonville appears to be the class of the division, Hopkins does give the Titans the best chance to overcome them. His ability to connect with Tannehill and keep defenses honest will be important, as it could free up more room for Henry in the run game. Conversely, Hopkins should see softer coverages as many teams load the box to stop the legendary running back.
If Hopkins can stay healthy, the Titans could be a great bet to win the AFC East this season.
Michael is an avid sports fan and a veteran bettor from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He learned the trade from his grandfather in Las Vegas as a kid. As an adult, Michael started picking games for a small sports betting site and has built it into a career. His experience allows him to provide tips and information to help other bettors improve their game. Michael cheers for all Wisconsin pro teams, the Arizona State Sun Devils (his alma mater), and the Ottawa Senators. He specializes in baseball betting but has extensive experience in football, basketball, and hockey. When he isn’t pouring over stats, he’s spending time with his two young children or hiking and enjoying the outdoors.
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