DeAndre Hopkins is one of the most sought-after free agents in the NFL this offseason. The 30-year-old wide receiver has been linked to a number of teams, including the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and Kansas City Chiefs. However, there is one team that stands out as the most likely destination for Hopkins: the Cleveland Browns.
There are a number of reasons why Cleveland is the most likely landing spot for Hopkins. First, the Browns have a clear need for a top-tier wide receiver. Amari Cooper is a solid No. 1 option, but the Browns need another receiver who can take pressure off of him. Hopkins would be the perfect complement to Cooper, and he would give the Browns one of the most dangerous receiving duos in the NFL. From my metrics (@stevem3tr1cs) (plug...), Hopkins was at the back end of WR1 ELITENESS last season and absolutely had big enough games to be the clear cut WR2 for any NFL team.
Second, the Browns have the cap space to sign Hopkins. The team has over $20 million in cap space, and they could easily free up more space by restructuring some contracts. Hopkins is likely to command a significant contract, but the Browns have the financial flexibility to make it happen.
Third, Hopkins has a relationship with Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. The two players were teammates in Houston from 2017 to 2019, and they developed a strong rapport. Watson has already expressed his desire to play with Hopkins again, and Hopkins has said that he would be open to joining the Browns. According to Cory Kinnan of Brownswire on USAtoday, Kltuch Sports' Kelton Crenshaw is now the agent of DeAndre Hopkins. Kelton is based out of Cleveland Ohio.
Fourth, Cleveland is a highly competitive team in the AFC North and in my eyes will be ultra competitive in the AFC Conference as a whole. Why? Cleveland has one of the most impressive offensive lines in the entire NFL. Their run blocking combined with their pass protection is one of the best in the NFL. Only KC, the only other team I see Hopkins going to, can boast that as well.
For all of these reasons, the Cleveland Browns are the most likely destination for DeAndre Hopkins. The team has a need for a top-tier wide receiver, they have the cap space to sign him, he has a relationship with the quarterback, and they are a competitive team. If Hopkins does sign with the Browns, it would be a major coup for the team and it would make them a true contender.
In addition to the reasons listed above, there are a few other factors that could make Cleveland a more attractive destination for Hopkins than other teams. For example, the Browns have a strong head coach in Kevin Stefanski and a talented defense. They just signed Za'Darius Smith to their strong defense. This will be a very defensive division next season, but only the Browns can say they have the offensive line to maintain long drives over the course of a game and give their defense the rest they need to play at a high level.
Of course, there is no guarantee that Hopkins will sign with the Browns. He could still choose to sign with one of the other teams that are interested in him. However, based on all of the factors involved, Cleveland seems to be the most likely destination for Hopkins.