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

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    Scoop City is The Athletic’s daily NFL newsletter. Sign up here to receive it straight to your inbox.

    Oh, you thought the wide receiver deals were done? Today we look at nine of them should happening, including the latest news about DeAndre Hopkins:

    What Dianna heard: Chiefs invade Hopkins

    It could be a done deal by the time you read this: According to league sources, the Chiefs worked on acquiring five-time Pro Bowl WR DeAndre Hopkins this morning of the Titans. Tennessee would receive a conditional draft pick in exchange for the 32-year-old wideout — a fifth-rounder who could become a fourth.

    The Chiefs have understandably been trying to upgrade their passing attack. Patrick Mahomes is averaging 231.5 career passing yards per game and has six touchdowns and eight interceptions as injuries have sidelined wide receivers Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown. In Sunday’s 28-12 win over the 49ers, Kansas City’s wide receivers combined for just five receptions on 12 targets.

    Hopkins would like to shake off a slow start to his season. In six games, he has 15 receptions for 173 yards and one touchdown. After suffering a sprained knee during the preseason, Hopkins’ rushing numbers were 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 on Sunday against the Raiders. More here.

    Jacob has more information on the receiver deals below, including possible Cooper Kupp destinations next The Athletics broke news about the Rams receiver’s availability.

    Back to you, Jacob.

    Trade proposals: Eight more WR moves that should to happen

    We’re less than two weeks away from the NFL trade deadline. On Tuesday, November 5 at 4:00 PM ET, any deal that could happen will take place. Below are eight receiver transactions that do just that should (not the same as shall) happen, ranked from most to least realistic.

    Chargers acquire Mike Williams from the Jets, sending a 2025 fifth-round pick to the receiver and a sixth-round pick. Would a reunion with Williams make sense? As beat reporter Daniel Popper put it, from a roster fit perspective, it’s a resounding yes. And that was before Monday night’s loss to the Cardinals, when WR Jalen Reagor threw away a potential score and LA finished with a seven-point loss. Their struggling, injury-plagued group could use Williams. Bad.

    49ers acquire Kendrick Bourne sending the Patriots a 2025 sixth-round pick. This is one of five moves New England could make from Chad Graff to stockpile draft picks during a losing season. Chad notes, “The 49ers have expressed interest in Bourne several times,” and a reunion in San Francisco is timely following Brandon Aiyuk’s injury.

    Buccaneers add Cooper Kuppgiving the Rams a second-round pick in 2025. Three reasons why this makes sense: (1) Chris Godwin is out for a year and will be a free agent next season, (2) Kupp fills Godwin’s role, a position he is familiar with, as OC Liam Coen – whom he has worked with for years . in LA – made it based on Kupp and (3) the Buccaneers could keep Kupp after this season or cut him to save $29.7 million.

    My only hesitation 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 feel comfortable with the guys in the building,” when asked to the receiver’s position. Signing FA Michael Thomas is a cheaper solution that film watcher Matt Waldman mentioned.

    Steelers add Cooper Kupp, sending the Rams a second-round pick for 2025. Yes, if Kupp doesn’t go to Tampa, Pittsburgh would have to make a call to GM Omar Khan. He has a 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 give them the perfect complement to George Pickens in OC Arthur Smith’s run-heavy offense.

    Patriots acquire Diontae Johnsongiving the Panthers a third-round pick in 2025. The Panthers have no reason to accept anything less, as they will get a compensatory third-round pick if Johnson signs a decent contract elsewhere in 2025. The Patriots have an extra third and $35 million in cap space this year and $137 million next season. (toppers in the league), so they may be willing to extend Johnson immediately. Drake Maye deserves at least one WR who can separate:

    Commanders add John Metchie, sending the Texans a 2025 sixth-round pick. This saves the 24-year-old from irrelevance in Houston’s deep receiver room, where he has seen one target this year. And at this price, it makes sense for Washington to take a pick on a former second-round pick.

    Saints acquire Darius Slayton, sending the Giants a conditional 2025 fifth-round pick and receiving a sixth. Slayton’s 12.8 air yards per target since 2020 are a testament to his ability to stretch the field – much needed in New Orleans with Rashid Shaheed (14.7 air yards per target) this season. The perennially underrated 27-year-old is also a free agent in 2025, which would lower costs for GM Mickey Loomis.

    Vikings add Adam Thielengiving the Panthers a conditional sixth-round pick in 2026. The 34-year-old – who is expected to practice this week – would return to his native Minnesota and to a franchise he had no intention of leaving. Back in the purple and gold, he can man the position for Kevin O’Connell’s offense. But this feels like the Panthers are doing the Vikings (and my fantasy team) a favor.

    For more you can read The Athletics‘s Mike Jones and Jeff Howe’s trade deadline wish list, with Mike proposing a move from Haason Reddick to the Lions. 👀

    Quick Exits: I appreciate Maye and Bijan

    If you haven’t read Derrik Klassen’s Quick Outs column, you’re missing out on an NFL-worthy education. Two comments 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 let plays die, which is the most surprising part of all of this,” Derek said. “I thought Maye would come into the league with a little more Jordan Love in his game, but he played well on his own. He understands when to throw the ball away and doesn’t waste time muddying pockets or waiting for receivers to open up.”
    • As for Falcons RB Bijan RobinsonDerrick notes that Robinson was successful on 57.1 percent of his runs (only two other RBs hit over 50 percent), despite the Falcons allowing just 0.72 yards on contract, the fifth-worst mark in Week 7.

    Around the NFL

    Browns QB Jameis Winston starts in Week 8 against the Ravens. He finished Week 7 completing 5 of 11 passes for 67 yards and a touchdown, and is a clear upgrade over Deshaun Watson.

    Rams WR Puka Nacua saw his 21-day practice window open. It could be the full 21 days before Nacua returns, as OC Mike LeFleur noted that Nacua hasn’t played full-speed football in a long time.

    Saints RB Alvin Kamara agreed to a two-year, $24.5 million extension. The 29-year-old will remain 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.

    📫 Enjoyed this read? Sign up here to receive The Athletic’s free daily NFL newsletter in your inbox, and check out The Athleticsother newsletters.

    (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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