Cowboys WR Fit: DeAndre Hopkins Trade or Odell Beckham Jr. Signing?
One of the Dallas Cowboys' most significant needs heading into the offseason is help on offense alongside CeeDee Lamb, with the front office talking openly about the desire to add an "offensive play-maker with juice.''
That "juice'' could come from, among many, either Arizona Cardinals star DeAndre Hopkins or Odell Beckham Jr.
If both are available, which way should Dallas go? Where is the fit?
Having courted Beckham Jr. publicly last year, many thought the deal was essentially done. However, the receiver's inability to work out at The Star meant negotiations fell through as Dallas needed him for the playoffs.
Thus T.Y. Hilton was signed.
But what about Hopkins?
The biggest difference between him and Odell is that the Cardinals star is under contract. Thus, a trade will need to be facilitated and reports state that the Cardinals are willing to part ways with Hopkins in exchange for a second-round pick as well as a conditional draft pick or a player.
That is certainly doable for the Cowboys. But Beckham Jr. wouldn't cost the Dallas anything.
Hopkins, for many, is the better receiver and doesn't necessarily have the baggage that Odell carries.
Another interesting point is salary. Hopkins is set to make an average of $27 million per season over the final two years of his current deal.
That's a big chunk of salary cap.
But seeing as Beckham Jr. is a free agent, the Cowboys can offer what they feel is justified. Reports last year that Beckham wanted around $20 million a season and the Cowboys still flirted with him - even though we think that number was never going to happen.
And while pondering just how healthy Beckham Jr's knee is after his ACL injury, we still think that.
Will Jerry Jones be willing to pay extra for a receiver like Hopkins that, when healthy, virtually guarantees over 1,000 receiving yards per season?
When push comes to shove, which way will Dallas lean? Hopkins stated on a social media live with Dez Bryant for Dallas to "talk to him,'' so like Beckham, he's up for the flirtation.
We say Beckham Jr. might be better for the budget, while Hopkins is better for the football team ... and we lean toward the latter idea, believing that if the Joneses really want "juice,'' they ought to pay for it.
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