It was as shocking a trade that has happened in a long time when the Houston Texans dealt DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals in the offseason.
So, how has it turned out for each team after Hopkins’ magical catch Sunday gave the Cardinals a 32-30 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
The trade: The Houston Texans traded DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for running back David Johnson in March. As part of the trade, the Cardinals sent the Texans a second-round pick in the 2020 draft (40th overall) and a fourth-round pick in 2021. The Cardinals receive a fourth-round selection in 2020 from Houston, the 25th pick in the round (131 overall).
In nine games, Hopkins has been targeted 76 times and caught 60 passes. He has 734 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Hopkins also has accounted for 39 first downs.
David Johnson is on IR with a concussion. While playing, the running back has 408 yards rushing and 3 TDs. He has accounted for 29 first downs on a Houston team that is 2-7 after making the playoffs in 2019.
Houston used the 40th pick to select Ross Blacklock, a defensive tackle from TCU. Blacklock has played in seven games, starting none. He has one tackle for a loss.
In addition to Hopkins, the Cardinals used the 131st overall pick to choose DT Rashard Lawrence from LSU. He has played in five games making a negligible contribution.
So, the deal basically comes down to Hopkins for Johnson and it is an enormous victory for Arizona. They got an elite receiver while the Texans received an oft-injured wide receiver, who is banged-up, again.
The Cardinals are 6-3 and in a three-way tie for first in the NFC West. The Houston Texans are 2-7. Arizona has more wins already in 2020 than it had in the entire season for 2019. Houston has more losses than it had in all of last season.
Verdict: Arizona wins by acquiring a knockout in DeAndre Hopkins.