The Arizona Cardinals have made a number of upgrades in the offseason. They traded for receiver DeAndre Hopkins. They signed Jordan Phillips, De’Vondre Campbell and Devon Kennard.
All improved the positions they play.
However, in terms of the entire league, one is viewed as one of the biggest upgrades.
According to ESPN’s Mike Clay, the addition of Hopkins is the third-biggest upgrade in the entire league.
Hopkins, the All-Pro, replaces Damiere Byrd, who had 32 catches, 359 yards and one touchdown.
Cardinals GM Steve Keim and coach Kliff Kingsbury were not shy about their interest in adding an impact wide receiver during the offseason. It’s fair to say their mission was accomplished when they fleeced Houston by landing one of the league’s best pass-catchers in Hopkins in exchange for a package that included David Johnson. An absolute workhorse, Hopkins has averaged a target share of at least 30% while ranking no lower than 10th in targets, receptions, receiving yards and end zone targets each of the past three seasons. The 28-year-old will operate as a go-to target for second-year QB Kyler Murray in an offense that includes Christian Kirk, Larry Fitzgerald and Kenyan Drake. Expect the Arizona offense to take a leap forward in 2020.
The only two player upgrades ranked higher are Tom Brady replacing Jameis Winston at quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and DeForest Buckner replacing Margus Hunt for the Indianapolis Colts.
Hopkins could dramatically change the output in the passing game. Christian Kirk will no longer face opponents’ top cornerback. Hopkins is already dynamic against top players. Kirk and Larry Fitzgerald should have more open targets. Add that to Kyler Murray’s progress and the offense could go from solid, as it was over the last half of the season, to special.
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Ep. 267
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Ep. 266
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