Lions' Dan Campbell addresses DeAndre Hopkins links

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell declined to comment on if his club could pursue former Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. 

"But I like our receivers room," Campbell added while speaking with reporters on Thursday, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "I think we’ve got a good mix of different types of guys. I think it’s important, really, in your skill positions between tight ends, backs, and receivers that you have a mix of different types of skillsets — and I feel like we have that. We’ve got possession, explosive, we’ve got speed. We’ve got consistency, quickness."

Arizona released Hopkins last Friday, and the three-time First-Team All-Pro has been linked with advertised contenders such as the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers and defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. However, former NFL executive Randy Mueller argued in a piece published by The Athletic on Thursday that the Lions are among "ideal fits" for Hopkins. 

Mueller explained the Lions "have $23M in available cap space and a 2022 first-round pick, wide receiver Jameson Williams, who will miss a chunk of 2023 because of a gambling suspension." Mueller also called Hopkins a needed "security blanket" for Lions quarterback Jared Goff while pointing out Detroit could afford to give the veteran receiver who turns 31 years old next week a high-priced, one-year contract. 

"So, I just think we have a lot of guys that can do a lot of different things," Campbell continued during his comments. "So, the more versatility you have, that opens up your packages personnel-wise, matchup-wise." 

The Lions are expected to chase more than just a playoff berth during the upcoming season. In power rankings shared on May 8, NBC Sports' Peter King listed Detroit at No. 6 overall. As of early Thursday afternoon, OddsChecker had the Lions as the betting favorites at +145 odds to win the NFC North title. 

None of that means Hopkins would accept catching passes thrown by Goff instead of a quarterback deemed a Most Valuable Player candidate, but logic suggests Detroit should at least pick up the phone to gauge the receiver's interest before he potentially lands elsewhere.