Ravens Hope Hopkins Is the Missing Piece in 2025
The Baltimore Ravens have been knocking on the door of a Super Bowl appearance for a few years now but keep falling short against top AFC contenders like the Chiefs and Bills. Heading into 2025, they’re hoping a key veteran addition can finally push them over the top. That addition is wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who made headlines earlier in the offseason with a candid remark about his role in Baltimore.
During a conversation with Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey and a strength coach, Hopkins was asked what he thought of the team before signing. His response caught them off guard:
“It seemed like something was missing. Maybe I’m that missing piece. Maybe I’m not.”
The Ravens signed Hopkins this spring on a one-year deal worth $6 million.
What Hopkins Brings to Baltimore
Hopkins’ success with the Ravens will likely come down to how quickly he clicks with quarterback Lamar Jackson. Known for his ability to make contested catches, Hopkins has built a career turning difficult throws into big plays. From 2017 to 2020, he made the Pro Bowl four straight times and led the NFL in touchdowns on tight-window throws—those with under a yard of separation from defenders. Since entering the league in 2015, he has 84 contested catches, ranking fifth among active players.
But here’s where things could get tricky: Hopkins averages 2.54 yards of separation, while Jackson led the NFL last season targeting receivers who averaged 4.26 yards of separation. That’s a big gap in style—Jackson prefers open targets, while Hopkins excels at winning battles in tight coverage.
Still, Hopkins is no stranger to adapting. He’s caught passes from 19 different quarterbacks across 12 seasons, ranging from Matt Schaub to Patrick Mahomes. That experience could help him build chemistry with Jackson faster than expected.
If both stay healthy and find their rhythm early, the Ravens might finally have the offensive balance they need. A strong start, a top playoff seed, and better postseason execution could make this the year they finally break through.
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