Houston Texans trade Deandre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals

In a stunning move on Monday afternoon, the Houston Texans traded wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and a late-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for running back David Johnson, a second-round pick, and a fourth round pick.

The Texans will take on all of Johnson’s salary, according to Schefter. Johnson, who signed a three-year, $39 million contract extension in 2018, has cap hits of $10.2 million in 2020 and $7.9 million in 2021.

Breaking this down, this deal helps upgrade the Cardinals’ receiving corps. Previously, they had a group of nondescript receivers next to an aging Larry Fitzgerald. Now the team gives young quarterback Kyler Murray a number one option who’s had 100 plus catches in three of the last five seasons.

As for the Texans, it’s tough to see how Houston benefits from this deal. They trade away arguably the best receiver in the league, depriving fans of one of the best young quarterback-receiver duos in the league. They get back an aging running back coming off a subpar season with a guaranteed contract above what he’d have received in free agency.

Deshaun Watson has just nine career dropbacks without Hopkins in the lineup, and when an ailing Hopkins tried to grit his way through a playoff game against the Colts with a significant shoulder injury, Watson was 29-of-49 passing for just 235 yards with a passer rating of 69.7. The Texans are now stuck with a pair of one dimensional deep threats at receiver in Will Fuller and Kenny Stills.

While David Johnson could return to form for the Texans, this trade looks to be an absolute win for the Arizona Cardinals, who seemingly overnight improve their odds to compete for a wild card spot next season.