Former Clemson football star DeAndre Hopkins reportedly on move in NFL blockbuster trade - Greenville News

Tom Schad USA TODAY Sports

Published 2:22 PM EDT Mar 16, 2020

The sports calendar has grinded to a halt amid the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, but that didn't stop two NFL teams from pulling off a blockbuster Monday.

In a stunning and significant trade, the Houston Texans agreed to send three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals, a person familiar with the deal told USA TODAY Sports' Mike Jones. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal cannot be finalized until the start of the new league year on Wednesday.

The Texans will send Hopkins, a former Clemson and Daniel High star, and a fourth-round draft pick in 2020 to the Cardinals for a package that includes running back David Johnson, a second-round pick in 2020 and a fourth-round pick in 2021, according to ESPN.

The trade moves Hopkins, arguably one of the league's top two or three receivers, to Arizona, where he figures to become the favorite target of No. 1 overall draft pick Kyler Murray in coach Kliff Kingsbury's system. The 27-year-old Hopkins recorded 104 catches for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns last season while helping lead the Texans to the playoffs.

Johnson, 28, was a Pro Bowl selection in 2016 when he led the NFL with 2,118 all-purpose yards. Since signing a three-year, $39 million extension with the Cardinals in 2018, however, he has struggled to recapture his top form.

The Cardinals had indicated a lack of faith in Johnson earlier Monday when they used the transition tag on fellow running back Kenyan Drake, who took over the starting job after being acquired in a midseason trade from the Dolphins.

More: Former Clemson football player DeAndre Hopkins felt 'like I'm a slave again' after late owner's 2017 comments

Texans coach Bill O'Brien, who also officially assumed the role of general manager in January, drew criticism for the move, with detractors arguing that he did not get enough in return for Hopkins, a star player in his prime. Similar criticism followed a different trade last year, when the Texans shipped former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney to the Seattle Seahawks for a third-round pick and two players.

The Hopkins move figures to have ripple effects throughout the league, particularly in the NFC West — which was already the most competitive division in the league last year. The West has also produced each of the past two NFC champions in the San Francisco 49ers and, before them, the Los Angeles Rams.

Now, the group with have a Murray-Hopkins tandem to deal with, as well.

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Former Clemson football star DeAndre Hopkins reportedly on move in NFL blockbuster trade - Greenville News
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