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Chiefs have second chance to acquire DeAndre Hopkins

Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs have opportunity to right their wrong with a DeAndre Hopkins trade

By Vinny Somma | Last updated 10/24/23

The Kansas City Chiefs spent most of their offseason linked to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, head coach Andy Reid remained in contact with the five-time Pro Bowler throughout his free agency. However, with Chris Jones' contract dispute hanging over their head, the Chiefs failed to lure Hopkins to Kansas City.

Three months later, the Chiefs have Jones locked in on a reworked one-year deal and another opportunity to make a run at Hopkins.

On Monday, the Tennessee Titans peeled back the veil on their trade-deadline plans, shipping All-Pro safety Kevin Byard to the Philadelphia Eagles. Sitting in last place of the AFC South with a 2-4 record, the Titans look the part of sellers and Hopkins could be the next domino to fall.

One NFL general manager informed The Washington Post's Jason La Canfora the Titans could yield as high as a second-round draft pick in exchange for Hopkins. Ultimately, there are varying opinions of Hopkins' trade value. Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports recently spoke with a handful of receiver-needy teams, concluding that Hopkins won't net Tennessee "anything of value."

Regardless of whether it costs a late Day 2 pick or a mid-round selection, the Chiefs must pounce at the opportunity to add Hopkins to their aerial attack.

Deandre Hopkins is on pace to finish the 2023 season with 85 receptions for 1, 071 yards despite playing in the 27th ranked passing offense.

You're damn right I still want DHop.

You're damn right the Chiefs should give up a mid/late round pick for him. pic.twitter.com/l2G8MdfeCx
— ‼️ (@LanceTHESPOKEN) October 19, 2023

While the quarterback-tight end duo of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce remains as lethal as ever (303 yards since Week 6), Kansas City is still desperate for pass-catchers on the outside. Beyond rookie Rashee Rice, no Chiefs wideout has caught more than one touchdown this season.

Kadarius Toney, penciled in as the team's No. 1 wide receiver heading into the year, has recorded 15 receiving yards or fewer in four of his seven games. He's now surpassed 35 yards receiving in just two of his 14 games as a member of the Chiefs.

Breakout candidate Justyn Ross has been non-existent, commanding six total targets. To make matters worse, Ross was arrested on Monday.

: Along with criminal damage, #Chiefs WR Justyn Ross was charged with domestic battery in an incident that occurred yesterday, per @AlexGold pic.twitter.com/aAyw1dURvs
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) October 24, 2023

At 31 years old, Hopkins may not be the perennial All-Pro he was earlier in his career. Nevertheless, he would immediately catapult every wideout in Kansas City's pecking order, giving Kelce his first legitimate running mate since the team traded Tyreek Hill in 2022.

Hopkins has caught 27 passes for 376 yards through six games this season, including an eight-reception, 140-yard performance in Week 5. Since 2014, Hopkins has had the fifth-most receiving touchdowns in the NFL (69).

Carrying just a $3.66 million salary-cap hit for this season, Hopkins is the ideal rental-type player for a championship-contending team like the Chiefs.

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