The Atlanta Falcons and Terry Fontenot have clearly had a plan this off-season and made calculated moves searching for bargain deals while spending for the necessary veterans. Adding in important leaders and contributors paying market value for Jessie Bates, David Onyemata, and Taylor Heinicke.
Fontenot has continued to add potential bargain deals as well as signing Mack Hollins and Kaleb McGary to deals below the current market. Looking at Atlanta's needs moving forward it is obvious the team still needs help at receiver and edge rusher.
Improving at the edge position in the first round remains likely while there isn't a receiver expected to be taken within the top ten. It is a position the Falcons will likely opt to address on day two leaving the possibility the team adds to the position through trade or free agency.
One potential fit that has been rumored is current Arizona receiver, DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins has two years left on his contract and despite what is now limited cap space for Atlanta remains a clear fit.
The Cardinals are looking at another lost season in 2023 with Kyler Murray expected to miss the majority of the season. Moving off of Hopkins makes sense and Atlanta being the next landing spot would make sense for both sides.
1. Atlanta's depth chart still lacks a clear second or third option at receiver
Adding Scott Miller and Mack Hollins are moves that improve Atlanta's depth at the position and give the team better options than they have had. However, if Atlanta is serious about building a complete roster neither player can be counted on as a contributor. Hollins has had an up-and-down career and would be best served to be put into the WR3 or WR4 role.
Miller is an odd fit for Arthur Smith's system and is simply a depth receiver to provide a bit of speed not a starting option. Looking further you have Frank Darby who has been unable to win a contributing role despite the dysfunction at the position over the past two seasons.
Behind Darby is 2022 camp and preseason favorite Jared Bernhardt who is yet to catch an NFL pass and is still learning the position. The Falcons clearly need to add both a veteran presence and a player capable of producing alongside Drake London.
Adding DeAndre Hopkins obviously alters this perspective completely allowing Miller, Darby, Bernhardt, and Hollins to all compete for the third and fourth receiver roles changing the look of the position and Atlanta offense entirely.
2. A chance to find elite production at a low cost
It is rare for receivers to improve their production after turning thirty, however, if the Falcons can keep Hopkins healthy that will be the case for Hopkins. In the last season in which DeAndre was healthy, the veteran finished the year with 1,407 receiving yards and was in the discussion as the best receiver in the league.
The Cardinals are understandably frustrated with Murray and Hopkins never completely working at the level they had hoped. They are looking for a reset and while that happens there will be a chance to land Hopkins at a bargain despite his contract.
Adding Hopkins for the price of a day two or day three pick is well worth it and something the Falcons should do without hesitation if they can work DeAndre into the cap. Even if Hopkins isn't the player he once was London and Pitts are more than capable of being the primary targets with Hopkins a clear upgrade even if he has taken a step back.
Hopkins only has two years left on his deal allowing the Falcons either to escape it quickly if it doesn't work out or re-work the contract. For a late draft pick, it is a move that will prove to be well worth the slight risk.
3. Hopkins fits the team Atlanta is building
The Falcons are doing a great job of adding veteran leaders that fit the culture they are trying to build while developing their current talent. Hopkins would fit this trend as a veteran that can help Pitts, London, and most importantly Desmond Ridder takes a step forward in development.
Hopkins clearly helped Deshaun Watson in Houston who has been a different quarterback without his star receiver. Add in the first season that Hopkins put together with Murray and it is clear the veteran is not only extremely talented but finds chemistry with young quarterbacks pushing their careers in the right direction.
This isn't taking anything away from what Watson or Murray accomplished early on but rather pointing out the potential impact Hopkins could have on Ridder even at this late stage of his career.