Baltimore Ravens receiver DeAndre Hopkins
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DeAndre Hopkins might not be the player he once was, but he's still finding ways to impress with the Ravens.
The Minnesota Vikings have a roster hole at the No. 3 wide receiver position, and an old teammate of new quarterback Kyler Murray is both available and a quality fit to replace the departed Jalen Nailor.
Phil Mackey of SKOR North made the case on Monday, March 16 for the Vikings adding a WR3 beyond 2025 third-round pick Tai Felton.
“I think right now Tai Felton on the depth chart would be scheduled to be their No. 3 wide receiver,” Mackey said. “And even though they scaled back on three-wide receiver sets, that 11 personnel usage, a little bit last year, it’s still the predominant personnel grouping for the Vikings. So they need a third wide receiver. Jalen Nailor is gone.”
Mackey mentioned two pass-catchers who played with Murray at different points during their shared time with the Arizona Cardinals as options to watch as the second wave of NFL free agency begins.
“Two possible options with ties to Kyler Murray at two different times in Arizona: Christian Kirk is a free agent, could be a slot option,” Mackey continued. “And then I would see keep an eye on Greg Dortch. The 5-foot-7, 5-foot-8 return man, No. 3 wide receiver, slot guy, gadget guy — two names to watch.”
Kirk, who would have made considerable sense in the slot alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, inked an affordable one-year deal for $6 million to join the San Francisco 49ers less than two hours after Mackey posted his social media pitch.
However, there is a third former teammate of Murray’s also potentially in play and who was far more successful and dominant alongside the Vikings’ new QB than Kirk or Dortch ever was: five-time Pro Bowler DeAndre Hopkins.
DeAndre Hopkins no Longer Elite NFL Wide Receiver, but Could Offer Vikings Meaningful Upgrade
DeAndre Hopkins
GettyFormer Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Like Kirk, Hopkins is longer in the tooth now than he was while posting six 1,000-yard seasons across a seven-year stretch between 2014-20 — mostly with the Houston Texans but also in Arizona with Murray during the final season of that particular run.
Hopkins last topped 1,000 yards as a member of the Tennessee Titans in 2023. His numbers have declined in the two seasons since, including last year with the Baltimore Ravens when he played in 17 games (three starts) and finished the campaign with 22 catches for 330 yards and two touchdowns.
Hopkins has tallied 1,006 receptions, 13,295 yards and 85 touchdowns over the course of his career and will play next season, if he plays, at age 34.
Minnesota will not be getting the future Hall of Fame candidate at the top of his game by any stretch should the team sign Hopkins, but he is a savvy veteran who still has NFL-caliber talent and knows Murray well after playing with him for three seasons in Arizona.
DeAndre Hopkins Available on Inexpensive Contract in 2026
Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
GettyFormer Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Spotrac projects Hopkins’ market value at just $1.5 million over a new one-year contract.
That projection, and the fact that he remains available after the first week of free agency, combine to indicate precisely where Hopkins is in his career and the kind of contribution a team like the Vikings should realistically expect if they add him.
But at such a low number, there is essentially no risk in adding a sure-handed third target with whom Murray is familiar and for whom the Minnesota locker room should have immediate respect based on name recognition and career accomplishments.