Training camp is almost here around the National Football League and it’s hard to find quality free agents at this point. The 2023 offseason sees a different story compared to others. The Minnesota Vikings released running back Dalvin Cook and he is currently still available for teams to sign. Another free agent was wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who the Arizona Cardinals released when they couldn’t find a trade partner for him. Over the weekend, Hopkins finally found a team with the Tennessee Titans. A two-year deal that is worth up to $32 million.
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The Impace DeAndre Hopkins Has on the Tennessee Titans Offense
BREAKING: Titans signing WR DeAndre Hopkins to a 2-year, $26M deal worth up to $32M with incentives. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/0k1KLaYQHU
— NFL (@NFL) July 16, 2023
After trading away A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2022 NFL Draft, and drafting Treylon Burks in that same draft, Tennessee landed a bonafide playmaker.
The Offense Around DeAndre Hopkins
The Titans are coming off a season where they struggled offensively and even had multiple quarterbacks starting games (more on that in a bit). The Titans passing offense was among the worst in the league. They finished ranking only ahead of the Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, and Chicago Bears in passing yards while also tying for the third least amount of touchdown passes (16) with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams.
Considering the type of receiver Hopkins is, those numbers should go up. Hopkins, even at 31 years old, is still an elite receiver in the game, with 6,811 receiving yards and 48 touchdowns since 2017. Averaging 8.4 yards per target, 84.1 yards per game, 12.4 receiving yards per reception, and a 66.6% catch rate during this time.
Other than Burks, the other receivers consisted of Kyle Phillips, offseason signing Chris Moore, and veteran Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. In 2022, they combined for 81 catches, 1,023 yards, and five touchdowns. Hopkins could probably put those numbers up in 2023 alone if he stays healthy. Burks notched 33 receptions and 444 yards with just one touchdown in his rookie campaign. The Hopkins signing gives him a tag team partner to develop under and gives him more room to contribute as teams will pay more attention to Hopkins.
Helping Titans Quarterbacks
To the quarterbacks, every one of them needs a top-notch receiver. A receiver who can go up and get uncontested balls and be trusted. It isn’t the receiver who makes the quarterback or the quarterback who makes the receiver; it’s a chemistry thing that each has to create. The Titans weren’t able to have one after Brown was traded and it made things difficult for Titans quarterbacks. Especially for Ryan Tannehill. 2022 saw Tannehill struggle, get benched for Malik Willis, and miss the season with an ankle injury. He needs a big season to help the Titans return to the playoffs and to keep the rookie Will Levis off his back.
Speaking of Levis, the reps he’ll get with Hopkins in practice will build the chemistry for eventual game action if he is called upon. A rookie quarterback getting a player like Hopkins to throw the ball to is good for his confidence. The Titans need the offense to keep up with the Jacksonville Jaguars led by Trevor Lawrence, and either Tannehill or Levis should benefit from Hopkins.
MAin Image: Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
