DeAndre Hopkins trade: Instant grades for Chiefs and Titans

The NFL trade deadline is rapidly approaching, and ahead of the Nov. 5 deadline the Kansas City Chiefs made a move to restock their rapidly depleting wide receiver room.

Hopkins, 32, was traded to Kansas City for a conditional fourth-round pick in 2025, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Chiefs were in desperate need for some receiver help after losing WR Rashee Rice to a knee injury, and they get a guy who is ready to make a Super Bowl run in Hopkins.

Here are the grades for both sides on the DeAndre Hopkins trade:

I know, Hopkins is old and dealing with a myriad of injuries. However, I think his skillset is exactly what the Chiefs need at this point in the season and what the offense needs. With so many guys who truly lack the ability to create separation outside of Travis Kelce, why not get a guy who can win in contested catch situations on the outside? Hopkins can still create separation in spurts and win as an outside receiver for a team that is more death by crossers and not the most explosive offense downfield, and Hopkins can be the guy to go get you a bucket on 3rd down.

The Titans are clearly in rebuild mode. After loading up a roster in the offseason with veteran skill position talent, but none of it at quarterback and offensive line, the team has fallen apart and has played multiple QBs at this point. The Titans also had to eat some of Hopkins’ salary in the deal, which also means that they’re rebuilding at this point. After this trade, they now have seven draft picks and that’s without calculating the Ernest Jones IV trade.

I do like the conditions that Tennessee got on this trade, though. Getting the playing time and Super Bowl conditions (both things the Chiefs have very high odds of doing) helps raise the pick up to a 4th rounder, smart business.

I expect more trades to get done coming out of Tennessee.