ESPN insider reveals potential suitors for possible Dalvin Cook-DeAndre Hopkins package deal

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NFL stars Dalvin Cook and DeAndre Hopkins — Photo of Dalvin Cook courtesy of Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports; Photo of DeAndre Hopkins courtesy of Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

As training camp rapidly approaches, there are still two big free-agent targets on the board. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is still looking for a new home after the Arizona Cardinals released him, and running back Dalvin Cook is also on the board since the Minnesota Vikings failed to find a trade partner.

Earlier this week, Cook hinted the possibility of a package deal with Hopkins, saying it would be “something epic for the NFL” if it happened. It’s led to speculation about who could make a potential run at that idea, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler listed a few possible suitors on SportsCenter on Tuesday.

One team who could pull it off is one of Hopkins’ known suitors: the New England Patriots. They have the cap space and could use an upgrade at running back, which is why they might stand out if a package deal is in the cards.

“Let’s start with New England because we know they have interest in DeAndre Hopkins,” Fowler said. “I did text with a few teams around the league who said, ‘Hey, why wouldn’t they be interested in Dalvin Cook, too?’ because they need premium upgrades at the playmaker spot. They already have Rhamondre Stevenson at running back, but Cook is a piece that you can move around. They’ve got around $13 million in cap space, still in on Hopkins. So, maybe they can swing a package deal. Who knows?”

Who else could make a run at DeAndre Hopkins and Dalvin Cook?

New England isn’t the only team that could land both Hopkins and Cook. The Detroit Lions also have the cap space to pull it off if they so choose and could also be in win-now mode given the state of the NFC North.

But Fowler also listed one other team to watch as a wild card. The Miami Dolphins might be a sleeper because of their interest in Cook, but no clear need at wide receiver considering they still have Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

“Detroit’s a team with $20-plus million in cap space. They’re knocking on the door in the NFC North, they could use a possession receiver,” Fowler said. “And then, I’m also going to include Miami only because a lot of the teams I talk to still believe Dalvin Cook — a South Florida native — wants to play for the Dolphins. So maybe, he can get in Hopkins’ ear, convince him to come with him. No state tax in Miami. Dolphins don’t really need receiver help, but you never know.”