Cardinals could soon decide on the future of WR DeAndre Hopkins

DeAndre Hopkins has been the topic of trade rumors since last year's deadline. Though, word out of the NFL Combine this week in Indianapolis is that a decision on Hopkins' future could come sooner rather than later. 

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport states that trade talks surrounding Hopkins are about to heat up. 

"I would expect that to ramp up over the next week or so, leading up to the start of the new league year," Rapoport said. 

While several teams have likely shown interest in Hopkins, Cardinals' general manager Monti Ossenfort has yet to decide whether a trade is the best option. 

"He has not made a firm decision on what he's going to do," Rapoport said. "Is he going to load up for the future, maybe get a draft pick to just kind of start rebuilding the team in his way, or is he just going to have Hopkins on the team." 

Arizona's asking price for Hopkins is a second-round pick, per Cardinals' insider Mike Jurecki. However, in January, Mike Garafolo said that compensation "seems high" for Hopkins, and he may be right. 

According to Johnny Venerable, host of "PHNX Cardinals Podcast," Hopkins' value is between a mid-second round pick and an early third. Venerable linked Hopkins to the New England Patriots (No. 46), New York Giants (No. 57), and Kansas City Chiefs (No. 63). 

Hopkins has two years and $34.3M remaining on his contract with the Cardinals, though it's unclear if he'd request a new deal if traded. 

The 30-year-old has played only 19 games over the past two seasons after bursting onto the scene in Arizona in 2020. With his stock at an all-time low, a team trading for Hopkins could get a bargain. 

However, acquiring the three-time All-Pro doesn't come without risk, as Hopkins could be on the downswing of his incredible career.