Nine NFL WR trades that should happen, including the latest in DeAndre Hopkins

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Oh, you thought the big name receiver deals were done? Today we’re looking at nine of them should happen, including the latest on DeAndre Hopkins:

What Dianna hears: Chiefs attack Hopkins

By the time you read this, the matter may already be a done deal: according to league sources The Chiefs worked on acquiring five-time Pro Bowl WR DeAndre Hopkins this morning from the Titans. Tennessee would receive a conditional draft pick – a fifth-rounder who could become a fourth-rounder – in exchange for the 32-year-old wideout.

The Chiefs have understandably tried to improve their passing attack. Patrick Mahomes is averaging a career-low 231.5 passing yards per game and six touchdowns with eight interceptions due to injuries to wide receivers Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown. In Sunday’s 28-12 win over the 49ers, Kansas City’s wide receivers totaled just five receptions on 12 targets.

Hopkins would look to shake off a slow start to his season. In six games, he had 15 receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown. After Hopkins suffered a knee injury in the preseason, his snap count was limited early; He caught just one pass for minus-2 yards in Sunday’s 34-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

The Chiefs expect Hopkins to land later this afternoon, and they are preparing for him to be in the lineup Sunday against the Raiders. More here.

Jacob has more on the receiver offers below, including possible Cooper Kupp targets afterward The athlete broke the news about the Rams receiver’s availability.

Back to you, Jacob.

Trading suggestions: That should be eight more WR moves happen

We are less than two weeks away from the NFL trade deadline. By Tuesday, November 5, 4:00 p.m. ET, any deal that could happen will happen. Below are eight receiver trades should (not the same as will) happen, ordered from most to least realistic.

Chargers acquire Mike Williams from the Jets and sent a 2025 fifth-round pick for receiver and a sixth-round pick. Would a reunion with Williams make sense? As Beat reporter Daniel Popper put it: From a squad adjustment perspective, it’s a resounding yes. And that was before Monday night’s loss to the Cardinals, when WR Jalen Reagor blew a potential score and LA finished with seven drops. Their struggling, injury-plagued group could use Williams. Bad.

49ers acquire Kendrick Bourne, Send the Patriots a 2025 sixth-round pick. This is one of Chad Graff’s five moves New England could make to accumulate draft picks in a lost season. Chad notes, “The 49ers have expressed interest in Bourne on multiple occasions,” and a reunion in San Francisco is timely following Brandon Aiyuk’s injury.

Buccaneers add Cooper Kuppwhich sends the Rams a 2025 second-round pick. Three reasons why this makes sense: (1) Chris Godwin is out this year and will become a free agent next offseason, (2) Kupp takes on the Godwin role, a position he is familiar with, as OC Liam Coen – who he worked with for years in LA – created it based on Kupp and (3) the Buccaneers could either keep Kupp beyond this season or cut him to save $29.7 million.

Highest percentage of routes breaking horizontally or below
(WRs, per @FantasyPtsData)

1. Chris Godwin (67.3%)
2. Cooper Kupp (66.1%)
3. Josh Downs (65.9%)
4. Rashee Rice (64.5%)
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown (63.8%)
….
7. Jalen McMillan (59.0%) 👀
8. JuJu Smith-Schuster (58.9%)

— Ryan Heath (@RyanJ_Heath) October 22, 2024

My only hesitant is Buccaneers GM Jason Licht, who drafts well and rarely trades picks, especially after FOX Sports’ Greg Auman reported that HC Todd Bowles said, “We’re comfortable with the guys in the building” when asked after the Receiver position was asked. Signing FA Michael Thomas is a cheaper solution noted by noted film observer Matt Waldman.

If I’m on the Buccaneers and want a chance to win this division, I’ll bring in Michael Thomas in the Godwin role and hope Evans gets healthy in time to make the playoffs

Maybe trade for Mike Williams.

— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 22, 2024

Steelers add Cooper Kupp, Send the Rams a 2025 second-round pick. Yes, if Kupp doesn’t head to Tampa, Pittsburgh GM Omar Khan should make the decision. He has a long history of trading with the Rams (2023 deals for Kevin Dotson and Allen Robinson) and reportedly tried to send a similar package for Aiyuk this offseason. Kupp would be the perfect complement to George Pickens in OC Arthur Smith’s play-heavy offense.

Quick outs: Appreciation for Maye and Bijan

If you haven’t read Derrik Klassen’s Quick Outs column, you’re missing out on an NFL-worthy education. Two notes from this morning’s article stood out, as both players are impressive despite minimal support:

• Patriots QB Drake Maye “Shows great timing and knows when to finish plays, which is the most surprising thing about the whole thing,” said Derek. “I thought Maye would go into the league with a little more Jordan Love, but he played well with himself. He knows when to throw the ball away and doesn’t waste time getting stuck in dirty pockets or waiting for receivers to get open.”
• What Falcons RB Bijan RobinsonDerrick notes that Robinson was successful on 57.1 percent of his runs (only two other RBs completed more than 50 percent), although the Falcons allowed just 0.72 yards before the deal, the fifth-worst mark in Week 7.

Around the NFL

Browns QB Jameis Winston will begin in Week 8 against the Ravens. He finished Week 7 completing 5 of 11 passes for 67 yards and a touchdown and is an obvious improvement over Deshaun Watson.

Rams WR Puka Nacua saw his 21-day training window open. It may take up to 21 days for Nacua to return, as OC Mike LeFleur noted that Nacua hasn’t played football at full speed in a long time.

Saint RB Alvin Kamara agreed to a two-year, $24.5 million extension. The 29-year-old will stay in New Orleans until 2026.

Most clicked yesterday: Jake Ciely’s Week 8 waivers, although you’ll probably want to check out his Week 8 fantasy rankings today.

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(Photo: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)