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The Kansas City Chiefs are the only undefeated team remaining in the AFC, as the reigning Super Bowl champions are well on their way to a ninth consecutive AFC West title and a lengthy playoff run.
Despite a 5-0 start, Kansas City still has some glaring needs on the roster, especially at wide receiver. Injuries to Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown have decimated the unit, as Xavier Worthy and an inconsistent JuJu Smith-Schuster are the top players in the receivers room.
With the Chiefs desperately needing an established and battle-tested WR1 for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin believes the team will trade for Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins at the trade deadline.
The Chiefs reportedly tried to land Hopkins before he signed with Tennessee, and now they’re in dire need of veteran help for Patrick Mahomes, with Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown significantly banged up.
Though Hopkins is no longer one of the best receivers in the NFL and is in the final stages of his illustrious career, the veteran is still an elite route-runner and would serve as a quality security blanket for Mahomes.
The 32-year-old hauled in 75 catches for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns but is off to a slow start to the 2024 campaign due to incompetent quarterback play from Will Levis.
Since the departure of Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs haven’t had a consistent WR1 who defenses must game plan for every single week. DeAndre Hopkins isn’t the same player he once was, but the 2013 first-round pick is a savvy veteran who will mentor the younger receivers and provide Mahomes with a dynamic playmaker.
Though the trade is unlikely to happen until close to the deadline, Kansas City is currently on its bye week, and general manager Brett Veach could make some moves during the off week.