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AFC South Buzz: Titans nab DeAndre Hopkins; Engram gets paid

By Tarringo Basile-Vaughan

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 30: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on before the start of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 34-26. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 30: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on before the start of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 34-26. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /
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The top remaining NFL free agent is headed to the AFC South.  That’s right, after weeks of rumors and speculations, star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is taking his talents to the Tennessee Titans.

The news broke early Sunday evening and had social media buzzing as Hopkins is expected to sign with the Titans on a 2-year, $26 million deal worth up to $32 million in incentives.

If the 31-year-old wide receiver still has some juice left in him, this is a big move for a Titans team in need of some more punch offensively.

AFC South rumors: DeAndre Hopkins picks Titans over Patriots and Chiefs

The three-time All-Pro was favored to be headed to the New England Patriots up until a week ago when it was reported the Titans were more aggressive in pursuing Hopkins.

That apparently paid off as Hopkins confirmed the news late Sunday night with the following tweet:

Although Hopkins would’ve been a top target in New England, he will be a true No. 1 receiver with the Titans, at least on paper.  In joining an offense led by Ryan Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry, Hopkins will need to find that motivation again to regain that top receiver status as he returns to the AFC South where he spent most of his career with the Houston Texans.

In nine games with the Arizona Cardinals last season, Hopkins hauled in 64 catches for 717 yards and three touchdowns.

Not his typical production, but even those numbers would’ve looked good in Tennessee last season as the Titans traded away A.J. Brown prior to the 2022 NFL season.

In choosing the Titans, DeAndre Hopkins not only angered Patriots fans, but also put out some smoke of him potentially joining the reigning Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs.

AFC South news: Evan Engram gets a new deal

If it wasn’t for the Hopkins news, the Jacksonville Jaguars would’ve headlined the buzz in the AFC South as the team and tight end Evan Engram agreed to a three-year, $41.25 million deal.

Talk about taking care of business at the wire, the announced deal comes just ahead of Monday’s deadline for franchise tagged players to work out extensions.

The former first-round pick turned it up with the Jaguars last season with 73 receptions and 766 receiving yards in an offense led by Trevor Lawrence.  That production led to the Jags laying the franchise tag on Engram, securing him as an important piece on a Jaguars team that made it to the AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs.

Next. AFC North Buzz: Mixon restructures, Chubb gets respect & Ravens rumors. dark

With DeAndre Hopkins now in Tennessee, the AFC South have a big of competition atop the division with the Jaguars now bringing back one of their important offensive weapons.  If either the Indianapolis Colts or Houston Texans surprise in 2023, the AFC South will be a very interesting division.

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