The Kansas City Chiefs are now less strong at wide receiver after Rashee Rice’s injury. However, an NFL analysis suggests that the team might deal for DeAndre Hopkins of the Tennessee Titans to allay that worry.
Despite recent injuries to key players Marquise Brown and Rice, Patrick Mahomes has recently voiced unflinching trust in the Chiefs wide receiver corps. The quarterback tossed for over 300 yards and the squad ran for 139 yards in their previous game against the New Orleans Saints, showcasing the team’s offensive ability.
The wide outs’ play could affect management’s choices as the trade deadline draws near. The squad is depending on rookie Xavier Worthy and veterans like Mecole Hardman and JuJu Smith-Schuster in the absence of Brown and Rice.
Mahomes is still upbeat despite worries regarding the wide receiver depth, particularly in light of prior setbacks. He gave head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach credit for putting together a team that can adjust and play well under duress. This confidence has been reinforced by the effectiveness of backing players like Hardman and Worthy in recent games.
It will be essential for Mahomes to have faith in his teammates as they take on the 49ers defense. Smith-Schuster is committed to leading the Chiefs to victory despite the uncertainty created by his recent hamstring injury. He believes that the current group of players can fulfill the team’s expectations for success in the next games.
Rice’s injury is still being treated, so Hopkins could be the answer Kansas City needs. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell goes into further detail about this in a trade suggestion for the NFL.
The Chiefs need a replacement for Rice in the starting lineup who won’t need to commit to a long-term plan for the upcoming campaign. When searching the league for veterans who suit that position, Hopkins is a clear choice. The 32-year-old former Texans standout is owed almost $6 million for the balance of the season, but in 2025, he will be a free agency.
The Chiefs also have tight ends and backs that can catch the ball, as well as speed in Worthy and Mecole Hardman, but Hopkins would be the “X” receiver they don’t have on the team. With a torn MCL sustained in the summer, Hopkins has been a part-time player for the Titans, playing 43% of the offensive snaps through the first five games. Hopkins is a five-time Pro Bowler. While he recovers during the season, Kansas City may allow him to keep making his way into the starting lineup in a part-time capacity before increasing his snap totals in December and January. Based on ESPN’s Football Power Index, the squad has a 94% chance of winning the AFC West already.
