DeAndre Hopkins Traded to the Chiefs | Fantasy Football Impact for Patrick Mahomes, Xavier Worthy, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Travis Kelce and More

Analyzing the DeAndre Hopkins trade and what it means for the Chiefs' top offensive fantasy players.

Another big-name wide receiver was traded on Wednesday, with DeAndre Hopkins getting moved from the Tennessee Titans to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Let’s take a look at what Hopkins has done this season, and then offer some ideas of what to expect for him on the Chiefs. We’ll also address what the move means for Patrick Mahomes and the team’s pass catchers.

Explore the best in-season fantasy football tool to manage your team and get league rankings with the Fantasy Assistant. Use our  trade analyzer and trade value charts to break down trade scenarios with Fair Trade ratings. Need a fantasy expert on call for waivers specific to your league? Our AI Fantasy Expert can break down any player for you inside the Fantasy Assistant.

Hopkins’ Stats/Chiefs’ Leaders

Hopkins was dealt to the Chiefs for a draft pick. The deal was reported Wednesday morning.

Across six games with the Titans, Hopkins had 173 yards, a touchdown, 15 catches and 21 targets. He topped 50 yards just two times, while finishing under 35 yards in every other contest. Hopkins had 10 or less yards three times.

The Chiefs’ wide receiver room has been decimated by injuries this season.

Marquise Brown hasn’t played a game, and likely won’t this regular season.

That left Rashee Rice to be the clear No. 1 option, and he had 288 yards and two touchdowns on 24 catches and 29 targets before being lost for the season with an injury.

In the team’s most recent game, it was tight end Noah Gray who led the team with 66 receiving yards. No other player had over 25 yards, so KC decided to bring in some outside help.

Tight end Travis Kelce has been a major disappointment this season, with only 245 yards, and still no touchdowns, on 28 catches and 36 targets.

Rookie Xavier Worthy has 198 receiving yards and two scores on 15 catches and 29 targets. He’s added 47 yards and two scores on seven rushing attempts.

Gray has 185 yards and no scores on 14 receptions and 15 targets.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, who is dealing with an injury, had one big game. He has 147 yards and a score on nine grabs and 12 targets. 

No other KC pass catcher has over 100 yards or a touchdown grab.

Kansas City Fantasy Outlook

Hopkins’ fantasy value wasn’t great in Tennessee with the quarterbacks he had throwing to him, and going to Mahomes is definitely an upgrade.

Hopkins appears past his prime, but he still was a 1,000-yard receiver last season, so there appears to be a little gas left in the tank still. Playing for a contender is another way for a veteran to suddenly start playing better too.

Hopkins is rostered in just 63% of fantasy leagues, and was started in just 14% last week. The move to Kansas City should bump both of those numbers up significantly before he suits up for the time for the first time.

I don’t think we should be expecting Hopkins to turn into a top-end fantasy wideout, but he could at least be a good flex starting option most weeks, and in favorable matchups.

Worthy, Smith-Schuster, Kelce and Gray will all take hits to their fantasy values with Hopkins now around. Hopkins might be past his prime, but he might immediately be Mahomes’ most-trusted pass catcher among this group.

Worthy has been a flex-level type player most of the season, while Smith-Schuster joined that conversation a couple weeks ago. Gray is a deep league option at best with Kelce around, even if the top TE isn’t producing. I liked Kelce as a starting option every week because of the lack of pass catchers, but after his down performances and the addition of Hopkins, I could now make the argument to sit Kelce.

Mahomes’ fantasy value gets a little boost from the veteran receiver. Mahomes has struggled to be a top-end fantasy QB, or even average fantasy performer this season, but this should help fantasy owners at least believe/trust in him a little more.

Week 8 Fantasy Advice

Kansas City takes on the Las Vegas Raiders this coming week.

It’s an average matchup for Mahomes and a below-average matchup for the wide receivers and tight ends.

Regardless of who suits up, my start/sit decisions don’t change - obviously don’t start a player that won’t be active.

Mahomes remains a fantasy starter even after his struggles, unless you have an incredible matchup with your other quarterback.

Worthy, Smith-Schuster and Hopkins are all flex options to me. I like Hopkins the most, followed by Worthy and then Smith-Schuster. I bet these guys will be part of start/sit stories later in the week, so check back for those. Not knowing who else your fantasy team rosters, I prefer to start Hopkins, but bench Worthy and Smith-Schuster.

I’m still starting Kelce again despite his struggles and the tougher matchup. This is probably the final straw for me though if he can’t deliver at least a decent fantasy total. I’d stick away from Gray in all formats, even after his nice week 7 showing.

#trades #2024-fantasy-football #start-sit-decision