This Falcons-Cardinals trade proposal sends DeAndre Hopkins to Atlanta

The Atlanta Falcons came into the 2023 offseason with a ton of cap space. Only the Chicago Bears had more and a lot of their resources went toward upgrading their defense. It was the right course of action for Atlanta as they were 23rd in points allowed and 27th in yardage allowed.

Shoring things up on that side of the ball would go a long way to helping the Falcons win more games in 2023. They are a ball-dominant team that runs more than anyone else in the NFL on offense, and for that strategy to succeed, the team needs improvements defensively.

However, for them to get to the levels they want, the passing game needs to improve. Atlanta is taking a big risk going with Desmond Ridder as their starting quarterback. If they want him to have as good of a chance at succeeding as possible, some more additions are needed.

Right now, the Falcons have two very good weapons in the passing game to build around; tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London. Cordarrelle Patterson is a jack-of-all-trades listed as a running back but started his career as a wide receiver. Adding another veteran to bring the wide receiver group together would be ideal.

One player that the Falcons should have their sights set on is DeAndre Hopkins of the Arizona Cardinals. Atlanta was one of the teams mentioned by Benjamin Albright that are interested and have the capital to pull off a trade.

Arizona was originally seeking a second-round pick along with another draft pick or player. That isn’t a price anyone has gotten close to given his contract and inability to remain on the field. The Falcons have some extra draft capital and should use it to acquire the former All-Pro.

Atlanta can offer the Cardinals a 2023 fourth-round pick, either their own or via the Tennessee Titans along with a 2024 draft pick. The Falcons could offer the pick that they received from the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Calvin Ridley trade, which can land in the second, third or fourth round.

The Cardinals receive the two draft picks that they sought. While it could end up as two fourth-rounders, that is better than nothing, as there are teams around the league that believe that Arizona may release Hopkins.

For the Falcons, they add a bona fide No. 1 option to their passing game to help Ridders’ development. His presence will also aid London and Pitts, who will no longer be the only focus of opponents in the passing game.

If Ridder can’t cut it with that trio in 2023, the Falcons would likely be in a position to land one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. Under contract for two more seasons, Hopkins would remain on the roster to help that rookie along as well should it come to that.