Titans got a steal with where DeAndre Hopkins ranks in top paid WRs

The Tennessee Titans are expected to sign free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to a two-year, $26 million contract with a total of $6 million in additional incentives. According to Dianna Russini of ESPN, Hopkins will have a base salary of $12 million in 2023. Where does that put Hopkins amongst receivers in today’s NFL? […]

Add as preferred source on Google
DeAndre Hopkins
Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

The Tennessee Titans are expected to sign free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to a two-year, $26 million contract with a total of $6 million in additional incentives. According to Dianna Russini of ESPN, Hopkins will have a base salary of $12 million in 2023.

Where does that put Hopkins amongst receivers in today’s NFL? $12 million is the 17th highest base salary for a wide receiver in 2023, and in contract AAV, Hopkins is 23rd in the league.

Here’s a look at the 22 active wide receivers making more money annually than Hopkins is in his deal with the Titans:

1. Tyreek Hill, $30 million

2. Davante Adams, $28 million

3. Cooper Kupp, $26.7 million

4. A.J. Brown, $25 million

5. Stefon Diggs, $24 million

6. D.K. Metcalf, $24 million

7. Deebo Samuel, $23.85 million

8. Terry McLaurin, $22.78 million

9. D.J. Moore, $20.62 million

10. Keenan Allen, $20.02 million

11. Amari Cooper, $20 million

12. Mike Williams, $20 million

13. Chris Godwin, $20 million

14. Brandin Cooks, $19.88 million

15. Diontae Johnson, $18.35 million

16. Christian Kirk, $18 million

17. Tyler Lockett, $17.25 million

18. Mike Evans, $16.5 million

19. Hunter Renfrow, $16.16 million

20. Allen Robinson, $15.5 million

21. Courtland Sutton, $15.2 million

22. Odell Beckham Jr., $15 million


This contract is such a win for the Titans, and all you have to do to realize that is look at the caliber of player surrounding Hopkins on that contract list.

$13 million over two seasons is paying Hopkins like he is in the same tear as Hunter Renfrow, Corey Davis, Odell Beckham, Jr., Curtis Samuel, and Michael Gallup. But on the field, Hopkins belongs in the same conversations as Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, and Stefon Diggs. Hopkins, even at 31, is still soundly in my top 10 wide receivers right now.

Hopkins was 7th in the league in receiving yards per game in 2023, racking up 79.7 yards per game despite not having Kyler Murray for almost half of his nine contests. Hopkins was also third amongst receivers in targets per game (10.7) behind only Cooper Kupp and Justin Jefferson while pacing for 1,354 receiving yards over 17 games.

Consistency over the last decade and elite 2022 production prove that Hopkins is still at the top of his game and one of the best league-wide at the wide receiver position. While most elite receivers are making well more of $20 million per season, Tennessee is paying Hopkins just $12 million in base salary to give their offense a facelift this fall. That is tremendous value and a contract that Titans fans should be celebrating.