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If you need a WR these are the guys to look at.
With Davante Adams and Amari Cooper being dealt on Tuesday the number of high-caliber receivers on the open market took a massive hit. As it stands we have two of the best teams in the NFL (Chiefs and Ravens) in dire need of help at receiver between injuries and misjudged depth, with a handful of others potentially looking for a final piece to get them over the top in the playoffs.
If you’d hoped your team landed either Adams or Cooper and are currently feeling down then don’t worry — because there are some very good players who could be made available between now and the November 5th deadline.
DeAndre Hopkins — Titans
Nuk is leading Tennessee in receiving yards, but that’s cold comfort. As it stands there’s not much of an appreciable difference between the production of Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, or Tyler Boyd — and with a 1-4 record this season that could mean change.
The Titans are very much a building team. It’s the first year under coach Brian Callahan, and it’s still unclear if Will Levis is the long-term option at quarterback. This creates a breeding ground for a trade, especially if that means getting some draft capital to round out other parts of the roster.
While Hopkins likely wouldn’t command the same compensation as Adams or Cooper normally, desperation could lead to a frenzy over the best available WR on the market. There’s a very good chance the Titans are given an offer they can’t refuse, allowing them to move on and try to find talent at the position through the draft.
Diontae Johnson — Panthers
Carolina made a deal for Johnson this offseason in the hopes he’d bolster their passing attack. While he’s certainly done that, it’s unclear what the motivation would be for Carolina to try and keep him, especially if they think Johnson would leave in free agency.
Dave Canales wants to make this a run-first team, which could make Johnson expendable. This is compounded by the fact that the Panthers have more young depth receivers than they know what to do with. Jonathan Mingo, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker are all fighting for reps, with Legette winning out so far — but the second half of the season could be all about future evaluation, making Johnson expendable.
What makes this a fascinating prospect is the fact this is the last year on Johnson’s deal. He would be the perfect short-term rental for a team like the Chiefs who have longer term option, but need a boost due to Rashee Rice’s injury.
Mike Williams — New York Jets
Williams has not fit into the Jets offense at all, and has failed to make any kind of connection with Aaron Rodgers. Now with the deal for Davante Adams it’s difficult to slot him in. This is another case where Williams would be a short-term rental for a playoff team to try and get over the hump.
A new environment focused more on longer developing routes would be a better home for the receiver, and to this end he could become a major factor down the stretch.
If the Jets decide to trade Williams, and if they’re smart then they probably want to keep him out of the AFC and find him a home on an NFC teams making a playoff push.
Jordan Addison — Minnesota Vikings
Here’s a wild card to throw in. The Vikings are soaring right now, but Addison has kind of gotten lost in the shuffle. Not only had he underperformed this season, but he’s been an off-field headache for Minnesota.
This creates a scenario where the Vikings could try and deal Addison for secondary help, assuming the compensation is right — or to get more draft picks to offset their recent trades. It feels like an outside chance, but don’t sleep on this being a possibility for the Vikings to move on from an extremely talented headache, while also getting better in the process.
Cooper Kupp — Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are on the verge of a full rebuild depending on how long Matthew Stafford intends to keep playing. That makes Kupp a luxury the team doesn’t really need, especially in light of so many young receivers playing well inside Sean McVay’s system.
Injuries have caught up to Kupp in each of the last two years, but a player like that doesn’t forget how to play football. Kupp is a YAC monster who could easily slot into a number of offenses around the NFL and provide something, so long as he isn’t relied on as the No. 1 receiver at this point in his career.
There’s a very real chance he lands somewhere as a 2nd or 3rd option and become a mismatch nightmare for teams in the playoffs — particularly those who have weaker secondaries.
