Baltimore Ravens fans have quickly shifted from viewing top star as a rival—thanks to his brief stint with the Kansas City Chiefs—to being excited about the intensity and experience he now brings to their team. Hopkins, who spent only a short time in Kansas City, joined the Ravens in free agency, immediately boosting their receiving corps.
With top star in the mix, Baltimore’s top trio of wideouts now features him alongside Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers. It’s arguably the strongest group Lamar Jackson has had at his disposal, and fans are eager to see that translate on the field.
While some may have questioned whether Hopkins still had top-tier ability—especially given Kansas City’s decision not to retain him—his performance in OTAs is easing those doubts. According to head coach John Harbaugh, Hopkins has looked sharp and energized.
“He’s moving really well, and on top of that, he brings a wealth of experience,” Harbaugh said. “He’s played in high-pressure games and knows how to deliver in those moments. Nothing is going to overwhelm him. Watching him and Lamar out there today—it just looked right. It was great to see.”
Ravens might’ve just unlocked vintage DeAndre Hopkins again
Harbaugh wasn’t the only one praising Hopkins—tight end Mark Andrews also had high compliments for his new teammate.
“He looks really, really good. He’s been making some big plays, and I think he’s going to be great for our offense,” Andrews said. “He’s versatile, catches the ball exceptionally well, runs smooth routes, and really understands the game. When he’s out here, he’s flying around. He’s looked fantastic.”
The more weapons Lamar Jackson has at his disposal, the stronger the Ravens’ offense will be in 2025. Having multiple reliable targets lets him distribute the ball more effectively, making it harder for defenses to predict plays or key in on one player.
If Hopkins returns to the form he showed in Houston, Arizona, and Tennessee, the Ravens could boast the most dangerous wide receiver group in the NFL—an intimidating prospect for any defense trying to contain Jackson.