The Tennessee Titans could be seller's at next month's NFL trade deadline (November 5) if their season continues trending in its current direction. The Titans entered their Week 5 bye at 1-3.
Brian Callahan's struggling squad faces a critical AFC South divisional matchup versus the Indianapolis Colts in Week 6. A victory could convince the Titans they're legitimate contenders in the lackluster AFC South. A defeat, and well, you're 1-4 with difficult road dates in Buffalo and Detroit ahead of the deadline.
Veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is by far their most intriguing asset. Rumors are already circulating his name. The 32-year-old Hopkins is in a contract year with an affordable salary. The Titans desperately need draft capital to accelerate their current rebuild. If you were against the Kevin Byard trade last year, it helped net the defense rookie cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr., who played like a long-term building block in his first career start. The emotional connection to Byard was far stronger than any remaining veteran on the team.
The Titans also don't have a third-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, as a result of the L'Jarius Sneed trade. A receiver of Hopkins' ability would likely command a fourth-round pick, or several fifth-round choices. If Hopkins is traded, the Titans will need to replace him with another "X" receiver next offseason. They could have options, such as Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan via the draft, or free-agent-to-be Tee Higgins, who possesses obvious ties to coach Callahan from their shared days with the Cincinnati Bengals.
With Hopkins potentially on the trade block, we've identified three potential landing spots.
Pittsburgh Steelers
ESPN's Dan Graziano recently named the Pittsburgh Steelers as a potential landing spot for Hopkins based on intel around the league. The 3-2 Steelers have dropped two consecutive contests and have fallen behind the Baltimore Ravens in the ever-competitive AFC North. Justin Fields is performing admirably at quarterback and they may feel inclined to continue investing in his development.
The Steelers lack pass-catching weapons outside of George Pickens. They've leaned on their defense and rushing attack, with a 27th-place result in the passing game. Hopkins would severely upgrade their receiving corps.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs were linked to Hopkins last offseason, before he signed a two-year contract worth just $26 million with the Titans. It's a deal general manager Brett Veach should regret not making. The Titans have received outstanding bang for their buck on Hopkins, especially when considering the increase in wide receiver contracts around the league.
The Chiefs recently lost No. 1 receiver Rashee Rice for a significant amount of time, possibly the entire campaign. Free agent signing Marquise "Hollywood" Brown is also out for the entire regular season. That leaves rookie wideout Xavier Worthy, who isn't ready for a workhorse role, and not much else, at a key position for a Chiefs offense that is attempting to three-peat as Super Bowl champions.
Buffalo Bills
If the Chiefs are interested, the Buffalo Bills should be interested. It's that straightforward, with these fierce rivals looking inevitably headed for another AFC Championship Game showdown. The Bills essentially allowed the Chiefs to nab Worthy in the 2024 NFL Draft, trading down with their biggest contender despite having the same need.
The 3-2 Bills replaced Stefon Diggs with a by-committee approach that features Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir, and Keon Coleman, but the passing attack has struggled in back-to-back defeats. They need more at receiver if they're to get past the Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens in the AFC, the latter of which recently embarrassed them 35-10. Furthermore, general manager Brandon Beane should consider a counter move if his AFC East rival New York Jets land Davante Adams.
