Best fits for DeAndre Hopkins: NFL teams that could pay the star ...

The Arizona Cardinals released DeAndre Hopkins on Friday, ending a tenure in the desert that lasted three seasons and a total of 35 games for the three-time All-Pro.

Though among the most productive wideouts -- he was the fifth-most-heavily-used wide receiver in the league (34.8% of the Cardinals' receiving yards) for the weeks that he played in 2022 -- Hopkins was scheduled to have a cap hit of $30.8 million this season, which would've been the highest for any wide receiver in the NFL. His $19.45 million salary -- though not guaranteed -- was prohibitive for interested teams that wanted to rework his contract or requested that Arizona pay part of the salary. Odell Beckham Jr. signing for $15 million guaranteed with Baltimore made taking less even tougher for Hopkins, who is healthier and more productive.

Hopkins, who turns 31 on June 6, is a six-time 1,100-yard-plus receiver with 71 career touchdowns who figures to be highly sought-after on the open market -- and pricey. Will a contending team look to add Hopkins as a potential final missing piece for a Super Bowl title? How much will the teams' quarterbacks factor into Hopkins' decision? What about the head coaches? Will the time Hopkins missed because of injury in 2021 and a suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs in 2022 enter into the equation for any suitors?

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler sized up the complete state of Hopkins' free agency and identified which teams might stand as the best and most intriguing fits:

Jump to a team:BUF | KC | NYJ | DALNO | CLE | NYGATL | NE

The feeling among some in the league is that the Bills have been lurking here. Hopkins could be a missing piece for an offense that's firmly in a championship window, and he is intrigued by the idea of playing with Josh Allen. A Hopkins-Stefon Diggs combination on the outside would keep starting cornerbacks dizzy. But if he wants money close to the $19.45 million he was due in Arizona, that could be a nonstarter for the Bills, who have $2.4 million in cap space. Buffalo would need to get creative to fit Hopkins on the books.

This is a similar outlook to Buffalo, a contending team with a high-level young passer and, on paper, a receiver need, and a team that has been linked to Hopkins in recent months. To mild surprise, I haven't gotten the sense Kansas City is desperate for receiver help. The Chiefs believe Kadarius Toney can be the No. 1. The sliding scale on which Kansas City is willing to pay hinges partly on the faith in second-round picks Skyy Moore (2022) and Rashee Rice (2023). And like with Buffalo, cap space is a problem for the Chiefs, who enter the weekend with $1.6 million.

New York was very close to signing Odell Beckham Jr. before the Ravens came with a compelling offer. The Jets appear open to adding another target for Aaron Rodgers. New York has $6.9 million in cap space but can create more by reworking the salaries of C.J. Mosley ($17 million) and Corey Davis ($10.5 million). A receiver nucleus of Garrett Wilson, Hopkins, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman and Davis would be dangerous.

Urgency is heightened in Dallas entering Mike McCarthy's fourth season. The Cowboys should have an elite defense and will need to ensure production on the other side. Dallas has several receivers already, so this doesn't feel like a slam dunk to get involved, but at the right price I could see the Cowboys having interest. With CeeDee Lamb as the No. 1 and Brandin Cooks as the vertical threat, Hopkins can be the isolation matchup receiver with elite ball skills for Dak Prescott. He can play in the slot or on the outside in that offense. The Cowboys have around $9 million in cap space, which is middle-of-the-pack in the league. There is not a ton of space, but it's enough to make something happen here.

Chris Olave is the primary receiver, but the Saints could use a running mate in light of Michael Thomas' durability concerns. The Saints don't really do the tear-down rebuild thing, and with a weak NFC South, New Orleans could see an opportunity to pounce. The Saints have a healthy cap outlook at $13.6 million (not that the opposite would have stopped them), and Derek Carr is good enough to potentially entice Hopkins, who can continue playing in a dome and a warm-weather climate.

Hopkins has preexisting chemistry with Deshaun Watson -- they played together in Houston from 2017 to 2019 -- and pairing him with Amari Cooper would deepen the intrigue in the AFC North. Cleveland GM Andrew Berry has been very aggressive this offseason in bolstering the defense, and signing Hopkins would be a nod to maximizing Watson's window.

New York has many supporting players at wide receiver but no alpha. Is it time to give Daniel Jones an elite guy once and for all? Perhaps Darren Waller assumes that role, but he's a tight end. The NFC East is only getting better, and the Giants might need to win some shootouts. The problem is that the Giants have $4.5 million in cap space and still need to extend Saquon Barkley.

Atlanta has been unafraid to spend this offseason while enjoying the fruits of a quarterback on a rookie contract. Its pass-catching core is young, but the presence of Hopkins could spice up Arthur Smith's offense. Like Cleveland, Atlanta GM Terry Fontenot has aggressively pursued signings and trades over the past three months.

Do I sense DeAndre Hopkins is eager to reunite with Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien -- the two reportedly had a rocky relationship in Houston -- in an unsettled quarterback situation for the right to practice in the snow? No. But money often drives these conversations, and it's no secret the Patriots have been on the market for pass-catching help for Mac Jones.