DeAndre Hopkins Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Now is the time for the Ravens to acquire WR DeAndre Hopkins

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 3/21/23

The Ravens have been very quiet since the start of free agency but now is the time for them to make their first splash of the offseason.

Talks are reportedly "ramping up" surrounding the status of Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins and Baltimore should go all in to acquire the veteran receiver.

As the status of #AZCardinals star WR DeAndre Hopkins comes into focus, talks are ramping up among the interested teams, sources say. Similar to Brandin Cooks, a trade would likely mean an altered contract.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 21, 2023

Hopkins has struggled to stay healthy the last couple of years, playing in just 19 games from 2021 to 2022. However, when healthy, he is still a formidable player on the field, totaling 106 catches for 1,289 yards and 11 touchdowns during the span.

The trade would come shortly after the Texans traded WR Brandin Cooks to the Cowboys for a 2023 fifth-round pick and a 2024 sixth-round pick.

Cooks is 29 and heading into his 10th season while Hopkins is 30 and heading into his 11th. Not to say that Hopkins won't demand more compensation than Cooks as he has been a far better receiver throughout his career. But it is worth noting Hopkins will likely not take a first or maybe even second rounder to acquire.

The Ravens would certainly need to alter Hopkins' contract as Dallas did for Cooks with QB Lamar Jackson's potential new contract. However, the trade could pay dividends in luring Jackson back to Baltimore.

The Ravens are desperate for a receiver after ranking as the third worst team in the league in receiving yards (3,202) and not having a receiver eclipse 500 yards in 2022. Hopkins would immediately solve Baltimore's WR1 problem for at least the near future.

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