It took almost a month, given the restrictions in place because of the coronavirus, but the blockbuster trade sending all-pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Cardinals and running back David Johnson to the Texans is complete.
All the components had been in place for weeks save for the physicals for each player – which couldn't be done as normal with NFL facilities shut down. Hopkins and Johnson were both able to get their physicals done this week, and Cardinals GM Steve Keim confirmed the news Wednesday during his pre-draft Zoom press conference.
"I was alerted this morning, so that trade will commence," Keim said.
The deal needed to be official before next week's draft. It sends Johnson, the Cardinals' 2020 second-round pick and the Cards' 2021 fourth-round pick to Houston in exchange for Hopkins and a 2020 fourth-round selection.
"DeAndre was a guy that myself and others in the organization had been really high on," Keim said. "To be able to get a player of his caliber and to add him to the weapons we already possess I feel can take us to the next level.
"When it comes to David Johnson, he did some good things here and we wish him well. Hopefully he'll do the same for the Texans. It'd be nice to see multiple parties get something out of this."
Acquiring Hopkins, who has three years left on his contract and has been all-pro three straight years, changed the dynamic for the Cardinals in the draft. Needing a No. 1 threat at the position, Hopkins serves that role – although it has not stopped speculation the Cards could still spend a first-round pick on a wideout.
That seems unlikely, however, given a receivers room that includes Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk and 2019 second-round pick Andy Isabella. Nevertheless, Keim did not rule out taking a receiver in the first round.
"You want to look at the long-term contracts you have in place, whether guys can play inside or outside," Keim said. "If there is a player at the right spot, someone we are high on, we will certainly take advantage of that. I say this every year, your needs are always changing. Just because it seems on the surface we're not as needy at wide receiver, that could change pretty quickly."
Coach Kliff Kingsbury just last week expressed no concern that the trade would not be able to be completed by the draft.
"Obviously, (Hopkins) is a tremendous player, been healthy, played at a high level for a long time," Kingsbury said. "We're all excited about it."
