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DeAndre Hopkins set to visit with surprise AFC team

Five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will make his first official free-agent visit this coming weekend after being released by the Arizona Cardinals last month.

According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, Hopkins will fly into Nashville and meet with the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel later confirmed that the meeting will take place early next week. Vrabel and Hopkins were together with the Houston Texans for four seasons when the current Texans head coach worked on the defensive side of the ball. The familiarity likely plays a role in this visit.

In no way does this mean that Hopkins is set to sign with the Titans. Rather, they will be his first visit out of what promises to be a few visits.

There is certainly a need at wide receiver in Tennessee. The Titans have had a hard time replacing former No. 1 pass-catcher A.J. Brown since they dealt him to the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2022 NFL Draft. Hopkins would provide a track record of success.

Related: Ideal DeAndre Hopkins landing spots in free agency

DeAndre Hopkins stats: 853 receptions, 11,298 yards, 71 TD

DeAndre Hopkins

Hopkins, 31, has seen his production decline in recent seasons. The three-time All-Pro performer has caught 106 passes for 1,289 yards in 19 games over the past two seasons.

He was also suspended for the first six games of the 2022 campaign after violating the NFL’s Performance Enhancing Drug (PED) Policy.

In his first eight seasons prior to 2021, Hopkins averaged 93 receptions for 1,251 yards.

As for the Titans, they have a major need at wide receiver for struggling veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Tennessee’s leading returning pass-catcher from that position is 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks (33 receptions last season).

Though, this is somewhat of a surprising first visit for DeAndre Hopkins. He had in the past indicated he wanted to join a team with a proven quarterback and that is in contention. Tannehill is on the downswing while Tennessee lost its final seven games to conclude the 2022 season.

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