NFL

Chiefs trade rumors: Five best Rashee Rice replacements, from Amari Cooper to DeAndre Hopkins

The Kansas City Chiefs had high hopes to have a loaded wide receiver corps for Patrick Mahomes in 2024. Those best-laid plans have been derailed by a major injury to a rising young star.

Second-year man Rashee Rice, who was heading toward a massive breakout season in terms of catches, yards and touchdowns and becoming Mahomes’ new go-to guy, suffered a knee injury in Sunday’s win over the Chargers after a post-interception collision with Mahomes. Rice joins Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (shoulder) in as another one of Mahomes’ receiving threats who will miss a large chunk of the season.

The Chiefs are fortunate that tight end Travis Kelce is still healthy and plugging away despite turning 35 soon. The team also used a first-round pick on speedy rookie wideout Xavier Worthy. But between Kelce and Worthy, the Chiefs are down to an uninspiring situational committee again for Mahomes.

As Kansas City seeks a third consecutive Super Bowl ring, it can be more aggressive going after some midseason receiver help. Here are five targets for whom coach Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach should consider trading

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Chiefs trade rumors: Best Rashee Rice replacements

1. Amari Cooper, Browns

Cooper, 30, has been already traded twice, once from the Raiders to the Cowboys and then the Cowboys to the Browns. He also has struggled with drops and some passing game dysfunction with Deshaun Watson. Cooper can clean up plenty for Mahomes, as Copper is a reliable route-runner, which could play off Worthy and Kelce.

2. DeAndre Hopkins, Titans

Hopkins, 32, is now a complementary receiver but he has the slot versatility the Chiefs could use with Rice out. Hopkins has the size needed to play inside and fill the Rice role over the middle, but with a lot more experience. Tennessee is going nowhere and Hopkins can land on a team to try to get a ring late in his career.

3. Christian Kirk, Jaguars

Kirk is another slot who makes sense with Jacksonville sitting at 0-4. Kirk is expendable with rookie first-rounder Brian Thomas Jr. looking like he has a bright future ahead of him. Kirk knows how to get open and has the same big burst after-the-catch ability as Rice.

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4. Darius Slayton, Giants

The Giants have Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt to help rookie first-rounder Malk Nabers. Slayton is an experienced target who can cross over well into Reid’s offense after working with former Chiefs assistant Mike Kafka in New York.

5. Kyle Pitts, Falcons

The Falcons haven’t worked Pitts into a new dynamic passing offense with Kirk Cousins, as wide receivers Drake London, Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud are being favored out of 11 personnel looks. Pitts has struggled a bit to separate from traditional tight end and hasn’t been used consistently well, period, in Atlanta. Pitts has appeal as a big slot type for Mahomes and, as a bonus, the 23-year-old can be groomed as Kelce’s heir apparent.

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