Steelers, 49ers, Patriots, Bucs named possible trade fits for 5-time All-Pro receiver originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers could all be in the market for a wide receiver at the NFL trade deadline.
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The 49ers and Bucs are both dealing with injuries. The Bucs might not have all three of their top receivers this week in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka, and Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings have missed multiple games in 2025, and Jennings admitted he’s playing through a laundry list of issues.
Adding to that, there is still no telling when the Niners will get Brandon Aiyuk back as he continues to work his way back from a torn ACL and MCL.
The Steelers and Patriots are mostly healthy at wide receiver but could definitely use more help at the position. Pittsburgh doesn’t have a true No. 1 wide receiver behind DK Metcalf and New England could use a third receiver to supplement Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte.
One player to keep an eye on at the trade deadline is Baltimore Ravens receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who was listed as a trade candidate by Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus.
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Locker thinks the Patriots, 49ers, Steelers and Bucs could all be players for the five-time Pro Bowler who has amassed 178 receiving yards through six games.
Possible Fits: 49ers, Patriots, Steelers, Buccaneers
Although the Ravens entered play Sunday ranked 22nd in offensive EPA per play, Hopkins has assembled a bounce-back season. His 92.7 PFF receiving grade is the second-best among all receivers. On top of that, Hopkins has hauled in five of six contested targets and has yet to drop a pass.
Having already suited up for three teams over the last two years, Hopkins could soon call a fourth franchise home. San Francisco may pursue another receiver in light of persistent injuries at the position, while the Patriots — who rank seventh in team PFF receiving grade — could seek another field-stretching option for Drake Maye next to Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte.
The Ravens are now sitting at 1-5 after losing in Week 6, although things are looking up with Lamar Jackson expected to return from injury out of the bye.
The Ravens have two more games before the deadline hits to show they are capable of making a run, but if that doesn’t come to fruition, Baltimore could be a seller at the deadline.
Hopkins makes sense to move, as he’s 33 years old and doesn’t figure to be in the team’s long-term plans. The five-time All-Pro is also slated to be a free agent in 2026, so the Ravens should get something for him before he potentially leaves during the offseason.
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Hopkins isn’t the same elite receiver he once was, but he would definitely be an upgrade for both Pittsburgh and New England. That said, it’s hard to imagine Baltimore trading him in the division.
Hopkins could also add some much-needed depth and insurance for both Tampa Bay’s and San Fran’s injury-plagued wide receivers rooms.
If we had to bet on one of the four times to acquire Hopkins, we’d go with the Pats. If not for the complication with the Steelers being in the Ravens’ division, we would’ve picked Pittsburgh.
