DeAndre Hopkins Reveals What it Would Take for Him to Re-Sign With Ravens
Free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins might be wearing purple again next season, although not necessarily in Baltimore.
The five-time Pro Bowler told TMZ he's open to reuniting with quarterback Kyler Murray, who recently signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Hopkins and Murray were teammates for three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
"Kyler, that's my boy, man. Kyler's like family," Hopkins said. "I talked to Kyler throughout the year last year. I talked to Kyler after his situation in Arizona, so Kyler's like family. I would always embrace that journey with him. He's on a one-year deal, if I'm not mistaken. So, whatever I can do for someone like that -- if Kyler needed me, if the Vikings need me, they know I'll be there."
Hopkins also wouldn't be opposed to re-signing with the Ravens, and he'd be content with the same contract he got last year (one year, $5 million).
"I think we were at five last year. I ain't mad at that. I'd like the same thing," Hopkins told content creator and Ravens fan Butta.
Hopkins said he wishes he could've played a bigger role in the offense last season. He finished with 22 catches (on 39 targets) for 330 yards and two touchdowns (both coming in the Ravens' first two games).
"I feel like I didn't really get a chance to show my work," Hopkins said. "I feel like I let the team down not being on the field enough to really help. … I want to be out there all the time, but I get it. I'm 33. You got young guys that are being developed by a team. Of course, that's not my choice, but I understand.
"I still feel like in certain situations, I could've been out there in that red zone a little bit."
Hopkins deadpanned that he'd want it in his contract that he gets "at least one red zone [target] a game." He showcased his skills at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic over the weekend with a one-handed touchdown catch.
Steelers, Not Ravens, Take Vega Ioane in ESPN's Field Yates' Two-Round Mock Draft
Penn State guard Vega Ioane is the player most frequently linked to the Ravens at No. 14 in mock drafts, but ESPN’s Field Yates has Ioane going to another AFC North team.
In Yates' first two-round mock draft, Ioane fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21.
"The clear-cut best guard in the draft is Ioane, who also happens to fill the Steelers' biggest need other than QB," Yates wrote.
Yates mocked Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano to the Ravens seven picks earlier.
"Fano spent the past two years at right tackle and has experience at left tackle, but his 32⅛-inch arms have convinced some evaluators that he would be better at guard or center," Yates wrote. "He practiced snaps for NFL teams after his combine workout in Indy. No matter what position Fano ends up at, he has premier fluidity and movement skills (4.91-second 40-yard dash) for an offensive lineman."
In the second round, Yates had the Ravens selecting Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker.
"Parker came into this past season with big expectations as a potential top-10 selection," Yates wrote. "He's not at that level, but he's a heavy-handed rusher with disruptive power. Parker set a Clemson record for the most forced fumbles in 2024 (six)."
Ravens and Trey Hendrickson Named Free Agency Winners
CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell assessed who won and lost the first two weeks of agency. Despite losing a dozen players, the Ravens landed in the winners category. Pass rusher Trey Hendrickson was also deemed a winner for signing a four-year deal reportedly worth $112 million with Baltimore.
"Hendrickson also has the personal win of remaining in the AFC North, so he will now get to take out his frustration on the Cincinnati Bengals twice a year after bitter contract negotiations with them failed to yield a long-term contract," Podell wrote.
Podell also pointed to the signing of safety Jaylinn Hawkins as a win for the Ravens.
"He did a little bit of everything for the defending AFC champion New England Patriots with four interceptions, six passes defended, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and one-and-a-half sacks in 15 games played, all starts," Podell wrote. "Pro Football Focus graded Hawkins as its No. 5 overall safety with an 83.3 defensive grade, and he'll pair nicely with All-Pro Kyle Hamilton and former first-round pick Malaki Starks in new Head Coach Jesse Minter's scheme."
