DeAndre Hopkins is certainly a hot commodity in recent days after being released from the Arizona Cardinals and there are many teams that should be interested in the star receiver, including the New England Patriots. 

Hopkins sparked some rumors on Monday after posting a video to his Instagram story with Patriots highlights playing on the television in the gym. While it appears that the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs are the top targets for Hopkins, the Patriots wouldn't be the worst spot for him to end up. 

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer detailed Hopkins' release from the Cardinals, while also explaining what the ideal situation would be.  

"That’s why, to me, it’s imperative that Hopkins goes to a place that a) won’t be overly reliant on him (either as a player or in team leadership) and b) has a strong locker room that won’t be pulled the wrong way if things turn sour," Breer wrote. 

The Patriots have quite an extensive receiver room, with many players having the opportunity to emerge as the No. 1 option. Because of that, the Patriots wouldn't be reliant on Hopkins and instead would have the opportunity to add a top receiver as a weapon for quarterback Mac Jones. 

Here are some of the Patriots receivers heading into the 2023 season:

Juju Smith-Schuster

Among the Patriots' numerous additions in the offseason, they signed former Kansas City Chiefs receiver Juju Smith-Schuster. 

Smith-Schuster is coming off a Super Bowl win with the Chiefs, where he caught seven passes for 53 yards. Throughout the entire season, he recorded 78 receptions for 933 yards and three touchdowns. 

DeVante Parker

DeVante Parker returned after finishing his first season with the Patriots with 31 catches for 539 yards and three touchdowns. Parker already has experience playing with Jones, and with new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien calling the plays, the duo has the opportunity to shine. 

Tyquan Thornton

During the preseason last year, there was one part of Tyquan Thornton's game that stuck out to all: speed. However, he began the season on injured reserve due to a fractured clavicle but returned in early October. He became the first Patriots' wide receiver since Deion Branch to score a receiving and rushing touchdown in one game in Week 6 against the Bears. 

With 22 catches for 247 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie season, the receiver has the opportunity to grow and become a top player for New England. 

Kendrick Bourne

Heading into the third year of his three-year, $15 million contract with the Patriots, Kendrick Bourne has some unfinished business in New England. 

There were many high expectations for Bourne heading into last season, but he wasn't targeted as much as was expected. He finished the year with 35 catches for 434 yards and one touchdown, but Jones will look to utilize him more for New England to improve. 

Tre Nixon

Nixon was a late-round pick in the 2021 draft and didn't shy away from the spotlight. After signing with the Patriots, he chose to wear number 87, which was formerly worn by Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski. 

Nixon was on the practice squad in his rookie season but returned for a second year. He switched his number to 82, but once again was on the practice squad last season. 

Nixon has an uphill battle, having yet to play in an NFL game in his career, but it's a whole new season and that means a clean slate for players to show themselves. 

Kayshon Boutte

Kayshon Boutte is a recent addition to the Patriots, being drafted in the sixth round with the 187th overall pick. In his final season with LSU, he had a career-high 48 receptions for 538 yards and two touchdowns. He recorded a total of 131 receptions for 1,785 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Raleigh Webb

Entering his first full season with the Patriots, Webb is looking to find a spot at the receiver position after playing mainly on special teams last season, recording one assisted tackle. He played one offensive snap with the Patriots in Week 11. 

Webb began the 2022 season with the Baltimore Ravens, playing as a receiver in the preseason, catching four passes for 88 yards and one touchdown. 

Demario Douglas

Similar to Boutte, Demario Douglas was a sixth-round (210th overall pick) selection by the Patriots in the 2023 draft. The receiver out of Liberty finished his final season with 79 receptions for 993 yards and six touchdowns. 

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