Top landing spots for DeAndre Hopkins after Cardinals release

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, teams are immediately eligible to enter negotiations with the former NFL receiving touchdowns leader. Here are franchises that could land Hopkins: 

Buffalo Bills

It doesn't get more obvious than this. One month ago, Bills star Von Miller proclaimed Hopkins wanted to be in Buffalo. More recently, Hopkins joined the "I AM ATHLETE" podcast, where host Brandon Marshall asked him which quarterback he would like to catch passes from. The first name Hopkins mentioned? Bills QB Josh Allen.

Plugging in Hopkins alongside Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis would immediately give Buffalo one of the league's premier three-headed monsters at receiver. He'd also serve as a massive upgrade over either Deonte Harty or Khalil Shakir as the team's No. 3 wideout. 

After spending the majority of his career catching passes from a slew of middling quarterbacks, Allen's top-tier talent could be exactly what the 30-year-old Hopkins needs to regain his dominant form. 

New York Jets 

It's Super Bowl or bust in East Rutherford. The Jets went all in to land Aaron Rodgers, so why not supply him with the best slew of weapons possible? 

Reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson has the ability to be great, but beyond him, New York isn't exactly oozing with talent at receiver. Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman Jr. are formidable, albeit underwhelming. Randall Cobb is well past his prime, and Corey Davis remains a cut candidate. 

Wilson led all Jets receivers with four touchdowns in 2022. Hopkins' 69 receiving touchdowns since 2014 rank third most in the NFL. 

Cleveland Browns

The Browns don't boast much flexibility when it comes to cap space (approximately $7M according to Over the Cap). However, if there's even a slight chance to bring Hopkins to Ohio, they should bend over backward to do so. 

The most wide receiver-needy team on this list, the Browns don't offer much depth behind Amari Cooper. Donovan Peoples-Jones has never hauled in more than three receiving touchdowns in any of his three NFL seasons. As for offseason addition Elijah Moore, he's coming off a disappointing 2022 campaign where he recorded just one touchdown on 37 receptions. 

Hopkins and Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson spent three seasons together in Houston as members of the Texans. Over that span, Hopkins averaged 105 receptions, 1,371 yards and 10 touchdowns per year, helping lead Houston to two 10-plus win seasons.