DeAndre Hopkins could help Kyler Murray and Cardinals fix their biggest flaw

DeAndre Hopkins is exactly what the Arizona Cardinals’ offense needed.

Kliff Kingsbury and the Arizona Cardinals jumped at the chance to steal DeAndre Hopkins from the Houston Texans based on his pedigree as one of the best receivers of the last decade. While the Cardinals have reliable underneath receivers in Larry Fitzgerald and deep threats like Christian Kirk, adding Hopkins, who just received a fat contract extension from the Cardinals could give the Kyler Murray and Arizona a whole new plan of attack on offense.

Last year, only one NFL team was less successful at running routes between 10 and 19 yards past the line of scrimmage than Arizona. Conversely, Hopkins was graded as the fifth-best receiver in the league in that department.

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DeAndre Hopkins should be a massive help to both Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray

One of the major problems with the Air Raid is that when space constricts, which in turn preventing Kingsbury from going deep down the field or dumping it off short on screen passes, the creativity in that offense starts to drop off. Hopkins might not be the fastest wide receiver in the world, but he excels at getting separation and catching anything and everything that is thrown near him, which should help a Cardinals team looking to air it out in 2020.

Part of the issue might have stemmed from Murray going through the usual struggles of a rookie learning to cut it in the pros. With another year in Kingsbury’s high-octane system accentuated by the addition of one of the best players in the league at any position, don’t be surprised if the Cardinals start off hot and make some noise in the crowded NFC West this season.

The Cardinals did need some defensive upgrades, but a true No. 1 receiver of a higher caliber than Fitzgerald heading into one of his final seasons was required if Murray is to take the next step this season. With Hopkins now signed for the next few years, Murray has a new No, 1 target while Kingsbury has the perfect player when it comes to diversifying his route concepts on offense. Look out, NFC West.