With Davante Adams and Amari Cooper now on the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills, respectively, Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is one of the top names remaining on the wide receiver trade market. A first-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Clemson product spent the early portion of his career establishing himself as one of the best receivers of the 2010’s. While the 32-year-old has slowed down a bit, he remains a reliable option in the passing game. Fresh off a 1,000-yard season in 2023, the Titans hoped he and free agent signee Calvin Ridley could help turn Will Levis into a franchise quarterback.
So far, that hasn’t happened. Following an up-and-down rookie season, Levis has kept all the head-scratching decisions from his rookie season but lost all the ‘wow’ throws that come from someone with his arm talent. He’s guided the team to a 1-4 record, which means Tennesee could sell their veterans at the deadline. While ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler claims the team doesn’t want to trade DeAndre Hopkins, they could be swayed if they get a large enough offer from a desperate team like the Kansas City Chiefs or Los Angeles Chargers.
Desperate Chiefs, Chargers Could Force DeAndre Hopkins Trade
The Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly interested in a wide receiver trade, but they’re already falling behind the competition. With Adams and Cooper off the board, Kansas City doesn’t have many options as it pertains to top-level playmakers. While guys like Diontae Johnson and Christian Kirk are starting-caliber players, they lack Pro Bowl upside. Perhaps the Chiefs are ok with landing a solid starter, but if they want to shoot for the moon, they’ll pursue a DeAndre Hopkins trade.
Hopkins’ All-Pro days are a thing of the past, but the 2023 season proved he can still be a 1,000-yard receiver in the right offense. Maybe the 2024 version of Will Levis can’t get him there, but Patrick Mahomes has a shot. Kansas City reportedly pursued him during the 2023 offseason, and his size and ability to win on the outside is exactly what this offense needs. Travis Kelce can work the middle of the field, first-round pick Xavier Worthy can challenge defenses deep, and a DeAndre Hopkins trade will give Mahomes the consistent perimeter threat he needs to win his third Lombardi Trophy in as many seasons.
Weapons For Herbert
Justin Herbert is getting healthy, which means head coach Jim Harbaugh should invest in some offensive weapons. The first-year head coach is one of the most conservative in football, preferring to win games with a strong defense and physical rushing attack. While that can earn you wins against the NFL’s weaker teams, it won’t be enough to take down the Kansas City Chiefs. At his best, Herbert is one of the game’s elite quarterbacks, but he’ll need more help to go blow-for-blow with the league’s elite offenses. While Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston have promise, the team should consider a DeAndre Hopkins trade.
DJ Chark is returning, but the journeyman wide receiver won’t be enough for this passing attack. Even if McConkey and Johnston continue to improve and don’t go through the growing pains common with any young player, Los Angeles could still use another set of hands. Stylistically, DeAndre Hopkins and Mike Williams play a similar type of football, so Herbert should know how to get the best out of Hopkins’ skillset. Los Angeles can still be a run-first team, but having someone like Hopkins to the mix couldn’t hurt.
Main Photo: Andrew Nelles – USA Today Sports
