Michael Chow/The Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK
Should the 49ers entertain the idea of signing WR DeAndre Hopkins?
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
The Arizona Cardinals made a significant move on Friday morning, releasing star receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who had a tumultuous 2022 season, marred by a six-game PED suspension and a knee strain that caused him to miss the final games of the year.
Earlier this week, Hopkins went on the "I Am Athlete" podcast, where he shared that his primary goals for his next team were stable management from the front office, a quarterback who loves the games and is loved by his teammates, and a great defense.
Well, be it as it may, the San Francisco 49ers cover all three of the goals, and recently freed up cap space with the restructure of running back
Christian McCaffrey, which has them at $10.8 million in space.
Should the 49ers entertain the idea of potentially signing DeAndre Hopkins?
The quick answer? No.
Hopkins is, almost assuredly, still a top receiver in the game, hence his former contract and interest from playoff contenders like the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills.
However, the stars simply don't align in San Francisco.
First of all, the 49ers already have a stable core of wide receivers in
Brandon Aiyuk,
Deebo Samuel, and
Jauan Jennings, who fit the mold of what the team desires in their room.
Additionally, the 49ers only have $10.8 million in cap space, which may not be enough to attract Hopkins with his current contract demands on a deal that isn't revolved around heavy incentives.
Does Hopkins improve the wide receiver room? Absolutely. But, the 49ers could look to utilize that cap space to fill needs, such as depth at defensive end or for a backup tackle, while also looking to save money for midseason additions, such as their trade for Christian McCaffrey last season.
The culture fit is also another question mark, as Hopkins and cornerback
Charvarius Ward have traded shots on social media, with the latter infamously calling the receiver "steroid boy" after their matchup this season.
Hopkins also may look for more stable quarterback play, as he named Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson as players he'd like to catch passes from.
Hopkins would be an intriguing signing that raises the short-term outlook of the 49ers, but his impact on the team may not be as significant as he wishes, given the crowded receiver room.
Overall, the fit is questionable, while the money likely won't add up for Hopkins, especially after the deal that Odell Beckham Jr. received from the Ravens, making the 49ers a sub-optimal landing spot for the receiver.
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.
LISTEN
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
DT Javon Hargrave signing with 49ers paying off immediately for both sides
By Rohan Chakravarthi
Sep 23
The San Francisco 49ers have started off the season hot, improving to 3-0 fresh off a Thursday Night victory over the New York Giants this week in their home opener.
It's been a two-sided effort for the 49ers, who have scored 30 points in each of the team's three games, while limiting opponents to 42 points overall.
A big portion of their defensive success? The talent on their defensive line, and this season, it has been headlined by star defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, who leads the team with 10 quarterback hurries.
Coming into the season, it was known that Hargrave was a premier pass-rushing talent for the 49ers, but he's been on a tear to start the season, arguably serving as the team's best player on that end, which is exactly what San Francisco
49ers mailbag: Is Christian McCaffrey being overused? Should Spencer Burford be benched? Is Steve Wilkes who the defense needs? When is Nick Bosa going to show up?
The San Francisco 49ers are 2-0 to start off the 2023 season. In 2021, the 49ers won their first two games but then lost their next four. A win Thursday night, in the home opener against the New York Giants, would be the 49ers' first 3-0 start since 2019. That season, the team started out 8-0 before going on to win the NFC West and cruise through the NFC playoffs on their way to a birth in Super Bowl LIV.
I can't seem to remember how that game turned out, though. It's like it's been blocked from my memory.
It doesn't matter, because we've moved on to the current season. And to celebrate the 2-0 start, we've opened up the mailbag to answer those questions burning a hole in your mind. So let's get to it.
Marc, what did ya think of CMC channelling
Should the 49ers play WR Brandon Aiyuk in Week 3?
By Rohan Chakravarthi
Sep 20
The San Francisco 49ers are getting prepared for their home opener on Thursday Night Football against the New York Giants, who will be without a number of key players, including star running back Saquon Barkley and left tackle Andrew Thomas.
Meanwhile, the 49ers are entering the game relatively healthy, save for one tough, game-time decision to make with WR Brandon Aiyuk, who is currently nursing a shoulder injury that he sustained during his first catch last week.
Aiyuk has been listed as limited on both Monday and Tuesday, earning him a questionable designation heading into the Thursday Night matchup, and a resolution likely comes only 90 minutes before game time.
Should the 49ers play Aiyuk in Week 3, given the
Podcast: Analyst: The 49ers should dominate the Rams
By Rohan Chakravarthi
Sep 15
Rohan Chakravarthi, Marco Martinez, and Suneil discuss the San Francisco 49ers Week 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
The audio for the show is embedded above, while the video is available below.
You can listen to "The Rohan Chakravarthi Show" from our dedicated
