The Kansas City Chiefs have a clear need to add another wide receiver to their roster, even after trading for two-time Super Bowl champion Mecole Hardman earlier this week.
Hardman is likely to be utilized as a gadget player, taking jet sweeps and quick screens in Andy Reid’s innovative offense. His value in the passing game will lie in his ability to be a field-stretcher that keeps opposing defenses honest and opens up room for guys like Travis Kelce and Skyy Moore over the middle.
While Kansas City may be content with their move for Hardman, the possibilities for additions at wide receiver may prove to be too enticing for Brett Veach to pass up on as he looks to shepherd the Chiefs to another Super Bowl victory.
Here are a few options that Veach could explore bringing in for Patrick Mahomes before The NFL trade deadline passes on October 31:
Mike Evans
Evans is a tested veteran who would be an asset for any team in need of a true top option at wide receiver. His lanky frame and sure hands have served him well with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and could become the stuff of legend with Patrick Mahomes throwing him the ball.
Tampa Bay is competing for a playoff berth, so the Buccaneers may have a steep asking price for teams hoping that they will part with their beloved star. A move for Evans would be a long shot, but if Veach can make it happen, it could go a long way toward getting Mahomes back into MVP form.
Marquise Brown
Marquise Brown is in the last year of his contract and could be on the trade block as the Arizona Cardinals look to the future after their 1-5 start to the 2023 season. He runs crisp routes and can make big plays happen with his speed, so his involvement in the Chiefs’ offense could be a boon for his hopes of securing a massive contract in free agency next spring.
Arizona will look to stockpile draft capital ahead of their inevitable rebuild in 2024, so Veach may be able to land Brown for less than some might expect given his first-round pedigree.
DeAndre Hopkins
Kansas City was rumored to be interested in Hopkins during free agency but was unable to secure his talents before the All-Pro pass catcher came to terms with the Tennessee Titans in late July.
After being jilted by the Titans, the Chiefs may be keen to strike a deal for his services at the trade deadline if Tennessee enters a firesale after its disappointing start to their 2023 campaign.
This would be a splash move for Veach, and would certainly bring some excitement to Kansas City’s season moving forward. However, compensation for the trade and Hopkins’ massive contract could become issues in a potential negotiation. All sides would have to get creative to make a deal work.
Darius Slayton
Veach wasn’t afraid to trade with the New York Giants for Kadarius Toney last season and may double down on his deals with general manager Joe Schoen at the deadline.
Slayton has had a slow start to his 2023 season and might be a player that could be acquired for minimal investment on the Chiefs’ part. A proven veteran, Slayton’s presence could elevate the play of Kansas City’s young receiving corps, even if he didn’t push for a top spot on the Chiefs’ depth chart.
Sterling Shepard
Shepard is another Giants pass catcher who could draw interest from Veach for the right price. He hasn’t played a significant role in New York’s offense to this point in the season but would serve as badly needed fresh blood for the Chiefs, who seem ready to try anything to jump-start their passing game.
If Shepard could be had for a conditional late-round pick or a swap similar to what Veach put together to bring Mecole Hardman back, the prospect of adding him at the deadline could prove too enticing to pass up.
Kendrick Bourne
At 28 years old, Bourne has plenty of gas left in his tank to play a role on any NFL offense, and after a standout showing in Week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders, he should be on every team’s radar as the New England Patriots ready themselves for a rebuild.
While his addition may not be as exciting a prospect as some of the other names on this list, Bourne’s involvement in the Chiefs’ offense could prove to be a boon for Patrick Mahomes, who is in desperate need of consistent help.
Adam Thielen
Thielen didn’t get the big-money deal he sought in free agency but has been one of the most productive receivers in the NFL through six weeks of the 2023 season. His veteran savvy has served the Carolina Panthers well with first-overall pick Bryce Young under center, and fans can only imagine how Thielen might improve with the reigning MVP tossing him passes instead of a rookie.
Thielen is exactly the kind of player the Chiefs could stand to add: A consistent, reliable, and athletic receiver who can make defenses look silly in a myriad of ways, even at 33 years old.
Hunter Renfrow
Renfrow burst onto the scene in the NFL after a breakout 2021 campaign that got him selected to the Pro Bowl. The Raiders’ addition of Davante Adams last year served to cut down on Renfrow’s production, but the 27-year-old pass catcher still shows flashes of his impressive abilities when given opportunities to make an impact.
If Veach thinks that Mahomes can help Renfrow return to form in Andy Reid’s offense, fans shouldn’t be surprised if calls are made to inquire about his availability at the trade deadline.
Jerry Jeudy
Jeudy would be the ultimate splurge for Veach at the deadline, though an intradivision trade isn’t likely to happen. The Denver Broncos can’t afford to lose any star power on offense, and Kansas City will only be able to make a modest offer, but if the stars align, this deal could be one for the ages.
Still just 24 years old, Jeudy would have the potential to be a playmaker for the Chiefs for years to come and may prove to be worth a hefty investment if Veach finds out that he could be had for a package of draft picks.
Courtland Sutton
Sutton is the more likely trade candidate for Kansas City if Veach is to strike a deal for one of the Broncos’ receivers. He is four years older than the aforementioned Jeudy but shows some of the same explosiveness and route-running ability that made him a second-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft.
The asking price for Sutton is likely to be lower than that of Jeudy, though Denver would likely ask for a premium to send him to a divisional rival midway through the season.
Terrace Marshall Jr.
Marshall Jr. was given permission to seek a trade on October 19 and may be the most intriguing player on this list. A second-round pick in 2021, he is just 23 years old and has shown exceptional upside as a Panther, though the situation in Carolina hasn’t been totally conducive to putting up eye-popping stats.
Veach may be wise to look into a move for Marshall, but if the asking price is too high, the Chiefs will likely look elsewhere for help at the receiver position.
