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Unusually active.
The NFL trade market — especially for proven pass catchers — has been Starbucks-at-7-a.m. busy. Davante Adams and Amari Cooper found new locales with the Jets and Bills, respectively, and rumors continue to swirl about Rams star Cooper Kupp.
Before the sun broke the horizon on Wednesday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported another wide receiver transaction — DeAndre Hopkins being dealt to the Chiefs for a conditional fifth-round pick.
Sources: #Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins is being traded to the #Chiefs in exchange for a 5th rounder that can get to a fourth rounder. Deal is being finalized.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 23, 2024
A key veteran who could be the final piece, Hopkins name has been hot in the trade market. Now, he lands with the champs. pic.twitter.com/GRvRbUwux6
From the disastrous quarterbacking duo of Tennessee’s Will Levis and Mason Rudoloph to Kansas City’s Patrick stinkin’ Mahomes … hello, salvation.
Hopkins’ uniform change is a massive fantasy upgrade. The exterior X-receiver is a primo, though aging, possession wideout capable of gobbling up receptions.
His surface and advanced data suffered in Nashville. Currently, Hopkins slots outside the position’s top 85 in fantasy points per game. Meanwhile, his No. 137 standing in total YAC and No. 95 placement in total route wins only further diminish the downside. However, D-Hop’s decent showing in yards per route run (2.11, WR29), separation yards per target (1.65, WR38) and aDOT (11.7, WR36) are promising.
At 32, Hopkins is past his prime. However, the zip code change could buy him a second lease on life. Mahomes’ near dead last aDOT (6.1) is mind-boggling, but he remains top-11 in red-zone completion percentage and deep-ball completion percentage. Bringing in an outside-the-numbers high-point wizard should only strengthen his questionable areas.
Throwing water on the hype is K.C.’s second-hardest remaining schedule for fantasy wide receivers. According to FFToday, Tampa Bay (Week 9), Carolina (Week 12), Cleveland (Week 15) and Houston (Week 16) are the only favorable matchups left. Two appreciable clashes do occur during the fantasy playoffs, but Hopkins won’t be must-start material in several games.
Head coach Andy Reid and the Chiefs desperately needed wide receiver help after the injuries of Marquise Brown, Rashee Rice and, most recently, JuJu Smith-Schuster. By adding an established outside-the-numbers pass catcher, the undefeated reigning Super Bowl champions are really gunning for another title.
No, D-Hop doesn’t jump to the upper tier of the fantasy rankings. View him as an occasional WR3 plug-and-play in 12-team formats. Again, the schedule doesn’t scream POINTS. Still, once he’s up to speed with the offense, he should routinely crank out 4-5 receptions with 55-65 yards.
Congrats on escaping the Titans' numerical blackhole, Hopkins.