Why a DeAndre Hopkins-Texans reunion could make sense

Hopkins spent time last week (when he was still a member of the Arizona Cardinals) praising Baltimore Ravens former MVP signal-caller Lamar Jackson and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, while it's been widely reported that "Nuk" is looking to join a Super Bowl contender in 2023. Additionally, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler said earlier this week that the Bills and Kansas City Chiefs were in an "arms race" to land Hopkins.

The Cleveland Browns and New York Jets have also been linked to Hopkins in recent days since his release from the Cardinals.

Though a reunion with the Texans certainly wouldn't seem to bring the 30-year-old any closer to his first Super Bowl appearance, the idea isn't as far-fetched as it may seem.

According to Kubena, Houston has a "clear need at wide receiver" and Hopkins is "gauging multiple teams as a free agent," including the Texans.

"But he spent seven seasons with the Texans after they made him their 2013 first-round pick, and he still has family living in Houston," Kubena wrote. "The Texans, who are emerging from their rebuild, have overhauled both their roster and front office since former coach Bill O’Brien infamously traded Hopkins to the Cardinals before the 2020 season. They spent the No. 2 overall pick on Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, and general manager Nick Caserio upgraded the roster with his first flush free agency cycle."

While the Texans making a deep run in the playoffs next winter may be out of the question, competing for second place (and in turn a shot at the postseason) in the AFC South seems like a possibility. The division combined for an NFL-worst 23 wins last year, and while Houston had only three of them, they could pass the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans in the fall.

The Colts are banking on the return to form of running back Jonathan Taylor and solid rookie production from No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson, while the Titans appear to be in free fall with questions up and down their roster.

As noted by Kubena, No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud has looked good in OTAs this spring. The Texans also have 2022 fourth-round running back Dameon Pierce coming off of a rookie year in which he posted over 1,000 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns and brought in veteran wideout Robert Woods and tight end Dalton Schultz in the offseason to help the offense. They also have 2022 second-round pick John Metchie coming back after missing his rookie year with leukemia.

A Hopkins return would take some more pressure off of Stroud (he's caught at least 65% of his passes in five straight seasons) and make the offense that much better.

Kubena wrote that "one of the major obstacles" that could perhaps block a Hopkins reunion is the team's cap space situation. While the Texans have "one of the NFL’s largest budgets in future seasons, in which they could realistically fit higher-salary contracts," he adds this.

"The Texans will only have about $5.7 million in cap space upon signing Stroud and No. 3 overall pick Will Anderson Jr., according to Over the Cap," Kubena wrote. "Hopkins was playing on a two-year, $54.5 million extension with the Cardinals, and although his next contract likely won’t be that lucrative, the Texans would have to clear more space to acquire him."

Here's what a potential Hopkins deal with the Texans could look like, per Over the Cap.