The New England Patriots have the most salary cap space of any team and a pressing need for a wide receiver.
While the Kansas City Chiefs are focused on their upcoming AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills, other teams, like the Patriots, are already planning for the offseason. New England is expected to target receiver help, and according to Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus, the Patriots are the top potential destination for Chiefs wideout DeAndre Hopkins.
Cameron noted that despite investing in receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker during the 2024 NFL Draft, the Patriots’ passing game did not significantly improve. He suggested that signing a proven veteran like Hopkins would not only provide quarterback Drake Maye with a reliable target but also help develop the team’s young receivers. With the Patriots having the most available cap space in the league, adding Hopkins would be a smart move.
After joining Kansas City, Hopkins earned a 78.3 PFF receiving grade despite dealing with a knee injury. Impressively, he has maintained a PFF grade above 70.0 in every season since his rookie year in 2013.
Hopkins has connections to New England, as the Patriots previously pursued him in free agency. Now, with former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel in charge, the fit seems logical, especially with Hopkins’ two-year, $26 million contract nearing its end.
