Star wide receiver and current free agent DeAndre Hopkins is likely to draw considerable interest from many organizations. However, there are now two teams who stand out as serious candidates for his services.

Jeremy Fowler, an ESPN NFL expert, says the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills are Hopkins’ main suitors. Rather than just focused on recruiting Hopkins for themselves, Fowler posits that both clubs may be driven by a feeling of urgency to prevent the other from signing Hopkins.

The Chiefs view Kadarius Toney as a legitimate No. 1 receiving prospect, but they are still considering Hopkins. However, other NFL clubs have long considered the Bills to be a legitimate danger in their pursuit of Hopkins. It looks like these AFC contenders are in a “arms race” to sign Hopkins and prevent him from joining their competitor.

Fowler also suggests the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns as dark horses who may make a run at Hopkins. Hopkins played with Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson in Houston, so a reunion between the two is plausible given their shared history.

Hopkins reportedly only had serious interest from the Chiefs and the Bills during his trade talks with the Arizona Cardinals. As a result, Hopkins’ pay expectations will have a significant impact on the amount of interest he receives in the free agent market.

The NFL free agency season is shaping up to be a fascinating narrative, with clubs competing to sign star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins while trying to block their competitors from doing the same.