Report: Texans, Cardinals swap Hopkins, Johnson in blockbuster
The Houston Texans have agreed to trade wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals in a blockbuster deal that will send running back David Johnson the other way, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Texans also picked up a second-round pick and a 2021 fourth-rounder from the Cardinals while sending Arizona a fourth-round selection, according to Schefter.
| To Texans | To Cardinals |
|---|---|
| RB David Johnson | WR DeAndre Hopkins |
| 2020 2nd-round pick | 2020 4th-round pick |
| 2021 4th-round pick |
Hopkins was named a first-team All-Pro for the third consecutive year in 2019 after tallying 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns through the air. A master of spectacular grabs, he's eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving five times in seven seasons.
The 27-year-old experienced friction with Texans head coach Bill O'Brien over the past year, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports. He figures to give Arizona a legitimate No. 1 receiver to partner with ascending quarterback Kyler Murray. The Cardinals also have Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk on their depth chart at wide receiver. Hopkins is signed through the 2022 season and none of the money left on his contract is guaranteed.
The Texans have been one of the most active teams in the trade market since O'Brien inherited general manager duties last offseason.
Since August:
- Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) March 16, 2020
Texans Traded Out
Jadeveon Clowney
DeAndre Hopkins
Martinas Rankin
Johnson Bademosi
Julien Davenport
Texans Traded For
David Johnson
Gareon Conley
Laremy Tunsil
Kenny Stills
Keion Crossen
Carlos Hyde
Jacob Martin
Barkevious Mingo
Duke Johnson
(@ESPNStatsInfo)
Johnson is coming off the least productive campaign of his career. He rushed for 345 yards and two touchdowns in 2019 and lost his featured role to Kenyan Drake, who was acquired before the trade deadline. Arizona applied its transition tag to Drake this offseason, which will allow the team to match any offer he receives in free agency.
In 2016, Johnson rushed for 1,239 yards and 16 touchdowns while adding 879 yards and four scores through the air. Since then, his production has drastically fallen off. He averaged 2.1 yards per carry in one contest before landing on injured reserve in 2017, 3.6 yards per carry in 2018, and 3.7 yards per carry in 2019.
The Texans needed to address their backfield this offseason, as both Carlos Hyde and Lamar Miller are free agents.
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