Reporter throws cold water on Giants signing three-time All-Pro WR

NFL reporter Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post suggested Wednesday the New York Giants aren't legitimate contenders to sign former Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. 

"Timing is everything in free agency," Dunleavy explained. "If Hopkins was released by the Cardinals in March instead of May, then he would’ve made a lot of sense for the Giants...But the Giants are building an offense around tight end Darren Waller as their top pass-catcher, with shifty tackle-breakers around him." 

The Giants landed Waller from the Las Vegas Raiders in March, and it's presumed he will serve as the primary target for New York quarterback Daniel Jones this season. 

"(Giants) general manager Joe Schoen might very well make a call to gauge Hopkins' interest out of due diligence, but I suspect that he would very quickly learn that the Giants ($6.1 million in salary-cap space) would have to short other areas to come up with the kind of contract that Hopkins is seeking," Dunleavy continued. 

Dunleavy also mentioned that Hopkins is more likely "to take a discount" regarding his next contract to play with a proven star signal-caller such as Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills or Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens. 

Giants head coach Brian Daboll spoke with reporters Wednesday and hinted Schoen will at the very least explore possibly signing Hopkins after the three-time All-Pro was released by the Cardinals ahead of the holiday weekend. 

"Like last year, anytime there is someone available that’s a free agent, I would say Joe and his staff are going to look into it, research it," Daboll said, according to Dunleavy. "We talk about a lot of different players, regardless of who it is. That’s part of our job, to make sure we are doing our due diligence." 

Hopkins turns 31 years old in early June and missed the first six games of the 2022 season due to a suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. Per ESPN stats, his average of 79.7 receiving yards per game would've been good for first among all Giants players for the 2022 campaign. Despite that statistical reality, Dunleavy indicated there are multiple reasons why a Hopkins-Giants marriage is unlikely at this point of the ongoing offseason.