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    • Five possibilities after Rashee Rice’s injury
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    Five possibilities after Rashee Rice’s injury

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    This offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs expressed their vision for an explosive new offense. After the first month of the season, the unit now seems to be looking for a way to just keep their heads above water.

    With a score of 4-0, the two-time defending champions are hardly panicking. But with wide receiver Rashee Rice feared to have torn his anterior cruciate ligament in Sunday’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers, the already uneven offense appears to be facing a future without the receiver whose 29 targets in the first three weeks were 17 more than any other player on the team. And with Marquise “Hollywood” Brown as a free agent not expected to make his debut until the playoffs at the earliest due to shoulder surgery – and running back Isiah Pacheco set to be on injured reserve – the mounting losses would push the offense to an uncomfortable place can push.

    The easiest solution would be to look for internal solutions to take it a step further, and the Chiefs will undoubtedly do just that. But while perennial Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce recorded season highs of seven catches and 89 yards Sunday with Rice out for most of the game, the extra attention paid to him likely won’t go anywhere. Rice enjoyed that setup, working the defense under it and racking up yards after the catch. Who keeps the attack going?

    First-round rookie receiver Xavier Worthy may seem like a natural candidate for a higher workload, but his role is somewhat narrowly defined to emphasize his strengths — and perhaps protect against his shortcomings. The 5-11, 165-pound deep threat should continue to force defenses to account for his speed, creating chances for others when they do and big shots for themselves when they don’t. But beyond the occasional heave and a few planned touches, Worthy may struggle to serve in a more complete capacity until he fills out his frame and becomes more comfortable as a short-to-mid target.

    So a lot of that work could fall on Justin Watson, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Skyy Moore. Watson ranked third on the team with 460 receiving yards last season, and his rapport with Patrick Mahomes could allow him to flourish early if he sees an immediate boost in targets. Smith-Schuster is comfortable as a physical presence underneath, while Moore can also live in the short area.

    But what if Andy Reid and Brett Veach determine that Kansas City needs outside help for the long term? Of course, landing Davante Adams or another star receiver seems far-fetched, especially considering the Chiefs only have $4.9 million in cap space, according to overthecap.com. But with the November 5 trade deadline approaching, there could be some intriguing options on the market.

    Here are five wide receiver trade options that could make sense for the Chiefs after Rice’s injury:

    Darius Slayton, New York Giants

    Slayton racked up a season-high 56 yards on three catches in a Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, and he’s played in 81% of the Giants’ offensive snaps so far this season. Still, this offense runs through rookie sensation Malik Nabers, and what’s left of the scraps largely goes to target Wan’Dale Robinson. Slayton’s credentials would certainly be put to better use in Kansas City. General Manager Joe Schoen has also been down this road with Veach before, after inking a deal with Kadarius Toney in October 2022.

    Robert Woods, Houston Texans

    If Kansas City simply wants to add another reliable target instead of swinging for a transformative piece, Woods could be a sensible option. No one is going to confuse a 32-year-old who tore his ACL in 2021 with Rice, but the veteran target could still provide value if he operates underneath. Houston is dealt with Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, leaving few opportunities for Woods. A trade for a late draft pick shouldn’t be difficult to facilitate.

    Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots

    Bourne is still working on his recovery after a torn cruciate ligament suffered midway through last season. But he is expected to return to practice this week, and the 29-year-old was averaging a career-high 50.8 yards per game in 2023 before going down. If he can return to form, his reliability should catch Kansas City’s attention. But given how underwhelmed the receiving corps is, New England may be reluctant to part with a player who could be an asset to Drake Maye when the third overall pick takes over as starting quarterback. And after signing Bourne to a three-year deal in March, it certainly appears he is still in the team’s long-term plans.

    Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns

    Let’s look at the more intriguing – but less likely – possibilities. Cooper could be the most attractive solution, as it would allow the Chiefs to land a bona fide No. 1 target on an expiring deal. Like Bourne, Cooper was involved in trade talks surrounding San Francisco 49ers star Brandon Aiyuk, although that meant Cleveland was trying to improve its passing game rather than sell its top target. It may be difficult for the Browns to embrace that mentality given the franchise’s inability to handle the passing attack with Deshaun Watson at the helm. But with this looking more and more like a lost year for the organization, the front office should think about what it could mean for a player who may be headed elsewhere after this season. Cooper has suffered declines in 2024, but a change of scenery – and a partnership with Reid and Mahomes – could quickly rejuvenate him. But financial considerations can be a significant barrier.

    DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans

    Hopkins and the Chiefs had been linked frequently for some time before the five-time Pro Bowler signed a two-year, $26 million deal with the Titans last offseason. Now, however, the timing seems right for both of them. With Calvin Ridley being the main attraction in Tennessee, Ridley could see a significant jump in usage. And the 32-year-old’s physical style and strength at the catch point would undoubtedly help Mahomes immensely. Since taking over in January 2023, Titans GM Ran Carthon has focused on bringing in top talent rather than parting with them. But with an 0-3 start, he would be wise to evaluate his options for a player who doesn’t appear to fit into the franchise’s long-term plans. Still, the sticking point here will likely once again be price — which Kansas City would have to give up, but also the cap element that could put this move out of reach.

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