Why the NY Jets should trade for DeAndre Hopkins

The NY Jets shocked the NFL world and decided to trade wide receiver Elijah Moore and a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft for a second-round pick, pick 43, in the same draft.

This now gives the Jets picks 13, 42, and 43 in this upcoming draft. It is widely speculated that the pick could be used to sweeten a trade for Aaron Rodgers.

More importantly, this creates an opening on the Jets' wide receiver depth chart. This trade came on the heels of the Jets making a move to bring in speedy slot receiver Mecole Hardman previously of the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, with Corey Davis rumored to be a potential roster cut, the Jets would only be left with Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, and Hardman on the roster. They need to add someone.

The Jets are known to have a mutual interest in Odell Beckham Jr on a short-term deal, but I think there is someone better out there they can acquire. DeAndre Hopkins is better, played football last year, and fits the Jets' offense much better.

1. DeAndre Hopkins is better than Odell Beckham

Hopkins is my personal favorite wide receiver still available this offseason. Although still technically on the roster for the Arizona Cardinals, they have been shopping him all offseason to anyone who would listen. Hopkins is a five-time Pro Bowler and a five-time All-Pro.

Comparing career accolades, Hopkins has hauled in 853 catches for over 11,000 yards and 71 touchdowns. Beckham, although very talented as well, has career numbers of 531 catches for 7,367 yards and 56 touchdowns.

Hopkins has only played one additional season than Beckham and would be 31 at the start of training camp this year. Beckham would be 31 by the end of the season, so they are relatively the same age.

Assuming that playing with Aaron Rodgers allows both players to get back some of their former selves, Hopkins in his prime, was the best wide receiver in football. Between 2018 and 2020, Hopkins averaged over 100 catches for over 1,250 yards and eight touchdowns.

Those are unreal numbers.

Again, although great, Beckham's prime goes all the way back to 2014 to 2016 with the New York Giants, where he only topped 100 receptions once. Since 2016, he has only topped 75 catches once and has been below 50 four times in the same span.