Jeff Howe: I don’t see DeAndre Hopkins to Patriots happening

To one NFL insider, count DeAndre Hopkins out as a possible target for the New England Patriots during this offseason.

Jeff Howe, National NFL Insider for theAthletic.com, joined Toucher & Rich to discussed a wide range of topics. One of those topics were wide receivers the Patriots will likely target in the upcoming months.

A #1 wide receiver is on top of New England’s list. Two of those notable names is DeAndre Hopkins and Mike Evans.

• 

  Oct 2, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and wide receiver Mike Evans (13) talk against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to the game at Raymond James Stadium. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

• When ask whether there’s a scenario the Patriots try to make some sort of move for Mike Evans, Howe say he think it possible while shooting down the idea New England would go after Hopkins.

  “Yeah, I think it’s possible.” said Howe, “I think he would be more realistic than DeAndre Hopkins. I don’t think that’s going to happen for New England. If they make a call, I mean, certainly he’s somebody that you’ve got to look at.”

  “If you’re the Patriots, you got to try to get creative because the receiver free agent market isn’t all that fascinating. When it comes to trade targets, again, like everybody wants to focus on the DeAndre Hopkins, I just don’t see that happening. Evans That somebody should definitely kick the tires on.”

• 

  GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 13: Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals lines up during the NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on December 13, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 30-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• Howe also doesn’t believe going after and getting Mike Evans aggressive move for the Patriots, especially after their 2022 season.

• “They’re at a point right now where I don’t think they would rule out anything.” said Jeff, “I think being aggressive, trying to make sure that you are all in with Mac Jones, trying to truly find out if he is your guy long term. I give him every resource that you can.”

  “If Evans is a reasonable path to take and he doesn’t cost a first round pick, which I wouldn’t expect him to. Yeah. Then you’ve got to try.”

• FULL TRANSCRIPT

  Rich Shertenlieb: The Patriots are in need of a #1 receiver right now. And obviously around here, we’re keeping an eye on that situation and wondering, is there a scenario you see the Patriots trying to make some sort of move for Mike Evans?

  Jeff Howe: Yeah, I think it’s possible. I think he would be more realistic than DeAndre Hopkins. I don’t think that’s going to happen for New England. If they make a call, I mean, certainly he’s somebody that you’ve got to look at. If you’re Tampa, they’re going to be in a real rough spot because they’re changing up the entire coaching staff. They’ve got a veteran group that they tried to run it back with last year and obviously failed to a pretty large degree. They’ve got to look at everything in terms of the rebuilds. If you’re the Patriots, you got to try to get creative because the receiver free agent market isn’t all that fascinating. When it comes to trade targets, again, like everybody wants to focus on the DeAndre Hopkins, I just don’t see that happening. Evans That somebody should definitely kick the tires on.

  Rich Shertenlieb: Do you see this with the moves that they’ve made this offseason? I mean, they seem dead set on wanting to truly turn this thing around from the disaster that it was this past season. Is that an aggressive move of going after and getting Mike Evans? Does that seems like something that’s in their DNA right now?

  Jeff Howe: They’re at a point right now where I don’t think they would rule out anything. I think being aggressive, trying to make sure that you are all in with Mac Jones, trying to truly find out if he is your guy long term. I give him every resource that you can. Don’t go into another season with a bunch of guys who are at best number two wide receivers. I’m not saying you have to go out and get like a bona fide legitimate number one Because that’s never really been their DNA. If Evans is a reasonable path to take and he doesn’t cost a first round pick, which I wouldn’t expect him to. Yeah. Then you’ve got to try.

• LISTEN HERE:

• Nick Gemelli is a Producer for the Toucher and Rich program and contributor for 985thesportshub.com. you can follow Nick at @NickGemelli on Twitter.

  Follow @Toucherandrich on Twitter, @Toucherandrichofficial and @fredtoucher on Instagram to keep up with the show!