Word broke Friday morning that the Patriots will reportedly host wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins next week in Foxborough.
Hours later, a number of New England players had nothing but good things to say about the former Texans and Cardinals All-Pro pass catcher.
“I’m a fan of D-Hop. I don’t really know the gist of what’s going on, but yeah he’s a great player,” current Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne said. “Just what he’s done over his career. Just watching him when I was younger and stuff. And he’s just a great leader. So if anything was to happen, he’s a great leader.”
It’s not just the current players on the New England offense that are fans of Hopkins. Patriots safety Adrian Phillips is well aware of what the 31-year-old veteran receiver can still do on a football field.
“Hands,” Phillips said with a smile of what Hopkins brings. “I mean he catches everything. His whole highlight reel is one-handers and stuff like that. Physical guy and he’s able to turn it on at any moment.”
Would Bourne like to play with Hopkins?
“Yeah, that would be cool. Great player. Anything that will help us win, I’m with,” Bourne said, adding his recruiting pitch.
“Come on through, man! We need any help we can get to win.”
Asked if he knew Hopkins was set to visit New England next week, Phillips laughed.
“You know I can’t really talk about that,” Philips said. “You’re trying to get me! I can’t really talk about that.”
Hopkins had 64 catches for 717 yards with three touchdowns in nine games for Arizona last season after returning from suspension. He was released by the Cardinals earlier this spring and is reportedly set to take a free agent visit to the Titans this weekend.
