If there’s a star wide receiver out there who knows what it’s like to be valued at a second-round pick in a trade just like Tennessee Titans wide receiver Julio Jones was, it’s Arizona Cardinals stud DeAndre Hopkins.
Hopkins was traded in 2020 from the Houston Texans to the Cardinals, the Titans’ 2021 Week 1 opponent. The exchange consisted of Arizona giving up a second-round pick, a fourth-round pick and running back David Johnson. In return, the Texans gave up a fourth-round selection on top of Hopkins.
It was an overall package that stunned just about everyone, and it further soiled the Texans and former head coach Bill O’Brien, who many thought could get more than that for one of the best receivers in the game.
Jones was acquired for a similar package, although there weren’t any players involved. The Titans sent a 2022 second-rounder and a conditional 2023 fourth-rounder in exchange for the veteran and a 2023 sixth-round pick.
As was revealed yesterday, that condition is if the Titans get a fourth-round compensatory pick in 2023, it becomes Atlanta’s, but if Tennessee doesn’t get one, the Falcons will get their original fourth-round pick.
Hopkins was asked for his thoughts on the trade recently and made it quite clear that he believes both he and Jones are worth first-round picks, per Katherine Fitzgerald of the Arizona Republic.
“I was surprised (for) Julio — You know, I know I was only coming off a first-team All-Pro, so I kinda figured I might only go for a second round,” Hopkins joked.
“That we’re not worth first-round picks, that the first-round pick’s better than us, I would like to see a first-round pick who could do what Julio and myself do.”
Here’s DeAndre Hopkins’ full answer to @_EmmanuelMorgan about his reaction to the Julio Jones trade/the parallel of both going for second-rounders: pic.twitter.com/Y9uuVlRKCZ
— katherine fitzgerald 🌵🗞 (@kfitz134) June 9, 2021
There were some rumors and speculation that it could cost a first-round pick to acquire the 32-year-old, but that turned out not to be necessary, much to the delight of those who were against giving up that much.
If the Titans end up getting a few years out of Jones in which he’s healthy and at the top of his game, or if he contributes to even just one Super Bowl, he will have been worth a first-round pick, making this trade an absolute steal.
Aside from age, another argument made against this deal is the money Jones is owed, which comes in at $15.3 million in 2021, and $11.5 million apiece in 2022 and 2023.
However, Jones only has $2 million guaranteed coming his way in 2022, and none in 2023, so the Titans could part ways with the veteran as early as next offseason if he falls off sooner rather than later.
Not to mention, Jones’ 2021 cap hit only ranks 10th in the NFL among wideouts, and his next two cap hits would rank 16th currently.
The argument can certainly be made for both players being worthy of a first-round pick in a trade, and Hopkins even more so than Jones because he’s three years younger.
Even with his age, we said all along that Tennessee giving up a first-rounder for a special talent like Jones was not outlandish by any stretch, especially considering the pick would likely be later in the round if the Titans have another good season.
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