In one of the biggest blockbuster trades in recent NFL history, the Houston Texans have traded All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for All-Pro running back David Johnson.
The deal also included a fourth round draft pick being sent to Arizona, and a second round pick being sent to Houston.
It wasn’t long after rumors began circulating of a trade involving Hopkins for the star wide receiver to be dealt. Legendary NFL reporter Peter King laid it out perfectly in his recent column for NBC Sports.
“Houston is currently in draft hell, without a top-50 pick in 2020 and 2021, and coach Bill O’Brien has huge needs to fill on his offensive line, in the secondary and overall youth on the front seven; J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus will play this year at 31 and 30,” King wrote. “What could hurt [Bill] O’Brien if he’s serious about moving Hopkins is he’ll play this year at 28, and he wasn’t as explosive last year as he’d been . . . and the fact that this is one of the best years in history for wideouts in the draft.”
Hopkins has been one of the NFL’s best wide receivers since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2013. In his seven professional seasons, the former Clemson Tiger has caught 632 passes for 8,602 yards and 54 touchdowns, earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors four times each.
Johnson has battled injuries throughout his five NFL seasons, but when healthy, the Northern Iowa product is a game-changer.
Johnson’s best season came in 2016 when he totaled 1,239 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns, and caught 80 passes for 879 yards and four scores. He was named first-team All-Pro and was selected to the Pro Bowl for his efforts.
Needless to say, this trade dramatically altered the trajectory of both team’s offseason plans.
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