Report: Baltimore Ravens Tried to Trade for DeAndre Hopkins
The Baltimore Ravens reportedly pursued a trade for former Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins before he was dealt to the Arizona Cardinals.
The Baltimore Ravens are expected to add a receiver at some point during the NFL Draft this weekend, perhaps as soon as tonight in the first round. But according to a report, the Ravens had their sights set on a move to acquire former Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins, that would’ve pushed receiver way, way down the list of priorities on draft weekend, but things didn’t work out.
NFL.com’s Michael Silver reports that the Ravens were among the teams that tried to acquire Hopkins from Houston before he was dealt to the Cardinals last month. Given that Hopkins (and a fourth-round pick) went for David Johnson, the 40th overall pick in the draft, and a 2021 fourth-round pick, it’s safe to assume the Texans at least asked for the 28th overall pick from Baltimore.
The Ravens, according to multiple sources, were one of the teams that made a run at DeAndre Hopkins before the Texans traded him to Arizona. If they draft a receiver tonight, it won't be a huge surprise.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) April 23, 2020
While Ravens fans will read this news and sigh as they dream of Lamar Jackson throwing to Hopkins and Marquise Brown, the more immediate reason this is relevant is that it could signal interest in taking a receiver early in the draft. Depending on the cost, perhaps the Ravens could even trade up to get Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb, who has drawn comparisons to the new Cardinals receiver. I’ve made the case for why Baltimore would be right to make such a move, and it appears there is now some smoke.
The Ravens have four Day Two picks in addition to the 28th overall pick, in addition to four Day Three picks, giving them plenty of ammunition to go make a move if they so choose. If they do opt to move up, it’s no lock that Lamb would be the pick, though he’s certainly the closest thing to Hopkins available in the draft. Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs round out the consensus Top 3 receivers available, and could both also be targets, as could Baylor’s Denzel Mims, who also has a little Hopkins in him despite having a larger frame.
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The move could ultimately have no bearings on what Baltimore does in the draft, but it does go to show that Eric DeCosta is not opposed to being aggressive. If nothing else, it will give Ravens fans a reason to keep their eyes peeled on Thursday night.