The New England Patriots are in a unique position to add significant offensive firepower midway through organized team activities, and it’s at least looking more likely that they could pounce.

ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported Thursday that the Patriots are interested in Hopkins. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter went as far as to say on his podcast, “in the end (New England) could end up being the place that he lands.” A source confirms the Patriots have a degree of interest in Hopkins. New England will at least see what Hopkins’ market looks like as he lingers in free agency.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer projected Hopkins’ eventual base contract to be worth about half of the $19.45 million he was set to make before being released by the Arizona Cardinals. A team could also add incentives to sweeten the deal without it counting against the salary cap.

The Patriots currently have $14.1 million in cap space, per OverTheCap.com. They’re projected to have the most salary cap in the NFL heading into 2024 ($122.7M) and 2025 ($239.9M). So, even if New England didn’t want to drain their 2023 cap space on Hopkins, they could set up a deal with void years to split his cap hit up.

New England could use a wide receiver of Hopkins’ caliber even though he’ll be 31 years old and hasn’t played a full season since 2020. The Patriots currently have wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, Demario Douglas, Tre Nixon and Raleigh Webb under contract. They have additional pass-catching help in tight ends Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki, Anthony Firkser, Johnny Lumpkin, Matt Sokol and Scotty Washington. New England could free up additional cap space by trading or releasing Parker or Bourne.

Hopkins caught 64 passes for 717 yards with three touchdowns in nine games last season. The year was shortened by injury and a PED suspension. Hopkins caught 42 passes for 572 yards with eight touchdowns in 2021. He was a Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro in 2020 with 115 catches for 1,407 yards with six touchdowns.

Hopkins would come in with familiarity of the Patriots’ system. He played under offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien for six seasons while O’Brien was head coach of the Houston Texans. O’Brien traded Hopkins to the Cardinals before the 2020 season.

There have been questions whether Hopkins would want to play under O’Brien again, and league sources told NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry that the wide receiver isn’t a “program fit.” But if the Patriots feel they can get a value in a player who still was regarded as one of the NFL's best receivers heading into last season, then don't rule out the potential of a deal.

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