DeAndre Hopkins' Top Three Plays With Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals no longer employ one of the best receivers in the game after releasing DeAndre Hopkins.
Though Hopkins was released on Friday, the transaction became official yesterday, leaving the All-Pro receiver to join any team of his choosing. He'll likely join a squad that will give him an opportunity to play for a Super Bowl.
Hopkins finishes his Cardinals career playing a total of 35 games, amassing 221 passes for 2,696 yards and 17 touchdowns during his stay in the desert.
There's plenty of highlights to sort through, but what are his best plays?
Three of them ranked in no particular order?
Hail Murray
Look - there's not a ton of explaining to do here, right? Hopkins rising above numerous Buffalo Bill defenders on a Hail Murray to win the game at the buzzer produced what could have been the Jordan brand's next billboard advertisement while also giving birth to the saying "f--- it, Hop down there somewhere".
“That would have to be the biggest one of his career, maybe. He’s phenomenal," said Kliff Kingsbury following the game.
"I went out of that game last week regretting we didn’t get it to him in crunch time or tried to get it to him in crunch time more. We had a good talk this week. I’ve never be a part of one of those. I’m still kind of at a loss for words, but what a phenomenal play.”
Hopkins' most memorable play in a Cardinals uniform for numerous reasons.
One-Hand, Six Points
DeAndre Hopkins has done plenty of crazy things on a football field, but just two games into his return last year, he showed absolutely no rust whatsoever on this one-handed snag against the Vikings.
"Any time the ball gets near him, you expect him to catch it. That's what he brings to this team. It's a different level of confidence for the offense when he's out there," said Kingsbury following the game.
Though the Cardinals ultimately lost this game, Hopkins' ability to elevate over one of the best safeties in football (Harrison Smith) and come down with the touchdown one-handed still lives rent free in so many minds.
Elevate
In Week 1 of the 2021 season, the Cardinals were considered road underdogs to the home Tennessee Titans. DeAndre Hopkins had other ideas.
A 38-13 stomping saw Hopkins put up a respectable six receptions for 83 yards and two scores on the day, one of those touchdowns seeing stretch out for the grab while somehow getting his feet in despite momentum carrying him elsewhere.
"That’s what I do, man, make those tough catches. I should’ve had one out there that I beat myself up on," said Hopkins on the play.
"Kyler (Murray) put the ball where it needed to be. A quarterback like that is always trying to make a play. I just knew I had to be where he was going to throw the ball in. There was good coverage, but those balls aren’t easy to catch. Being in the NFL for nine years, I know the most important thing, even if I drop it, is getting my feet down, so I was focused on that."
Hopkins will now move on to another team, but the memories he gave Cardinals fans will last far beyond next season.
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