Cardinals GM doesn't foresee Hopkins trade during draft

Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort threw cold water on a potential DeAndre Hopkins trade at the NFL draft, saying he doesn't expect to move the decorated wide receiver in Kansas City.

"I don't foresee that happening," Ossenfort said Thursday night, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com.

Hopkins has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason. A report from ProFootballTalk hours before the draft indicated Arizona was working to send Hopkins and the No. 3 selection to the Tennessee Titans, but the theoretical blockbuster didn't materialize.

Hopkins, 30, remained productive last season, posting 64 receptions for 717 yards and three touchdowns over nine appearances. He served a six-game suspension to begin the year for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drugs policy.

Hopkins' age and contract situation, combined with the Cardinals' recent struggles, turned him into a trade candidate this offseason. The five-time Pro Bowler is scheduled to count for nearly $30 million against the Cardinals' salary cap in 2023, per OverTheCap, though his base salary is about $10 million lower.

Despite the speculation, Ossenfort said it's still possible Hopkins will play for Arizona in 2023.

"DeAndre is a Cardinal," he said.

The Cardinals acquired Hopkins from the Houston Texans in a blockbuster trade in 2020. He's put up 2,696 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns across 35 contests for the Cardinals.

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