San Francisco 49ers: Stealing one player from every NFC West foe

Arizona Cardinals: Wide Receiver DeAndre Hopkins

The Cardinals had one of the better offseasons heading into 2020 and appear poised to actually threaten the 49ers for the NFC West crown.

Yes, that’s certainly a possibility.

There were a number of players to consider here, including EDGE Chandler Jones, who could turn San Francisco’s already-lethal pass rush into one of the most formidable groups in NFL history. That addition alone would put the Niners into a category never seen, defensively, since the salary cap era started.

Even though we’re not considering salaries here, and Jones would be great, there’s another player who’d fill a glaring void for the 49ers here.

Arizona essentially stole former Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who might as well be considered one of the best, if not the best, at his position. The three-time first-team All-Pro has done nothing but impress since joining the league in 2013, putting up 1,000-yard seasons in all but two of his pro campaigns.

And in those he didn’t, Hopkins came awfully close.

San Francisco has lacked an alpha wide receiver for some time now. And while second-year wideout Deebo Samuel impressed enough last season, and rookie Brandon Aiyuk looks promising, the thought of Hopkins out on the flank and catching passes would have Kyle Shanahan rolling with excitement.