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Marshon Lattimore problem, more WR options, Worthy scoreboard
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Marshon Lattimore problem, more WR options, Worthy scoreboard

THE Kansas City Chiefs didn’t wait until the NFL trade deadline to upgrade to needed positions. While the back-to-back Super Bowl champions remain undefeated this season, Brett Veach and Andy Reid by no means feel like the roster is as impeccable as the record might suggest.

The Chiefs traded for DeAndre Hopkins, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, as well as Josh Uche from the New England Patriots. Uche should add significant passing depth down the stretch, and he has the flexibility to play either outside linebacker or EDGE defensive end in Steve Spagnuolo’s system. Hopkins, of courseis a former All-Pro whose best days are behind him. Yet he can still create separation on the field, something the Chiefs offense lacked despite some big-name additions in the offseason that just didn’t pan out.

Rumors around the league indicate the Chiefs aren’t done yet. Will this amount to another exchange? Who knows, but that’s what insiders are hearing.

Although the Buffalo Bills traded for Keon Coleman, allowing the Chiefs to select Xavier Worthy in the first round of the NFL Draft, it turned out to be a smart move. Buffalo didn’t disrespect the Texas product on draft night, even though many of us continue to question their motives.

Instead, it was the Indianapolis Colts who reportedly hung up on Worthy on draft night. Worthy would have been an intriguing piece in the Colts’ offense, then led by Anthony Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor. Worthy, when theoretically placed next to Michael Pittman II, makes for a talented receiving corps – at least on paper. The Colts chose to take a different route.

The Colts took Laiatu Latu out of UCLA with their first-round selection. The defensive lineman has totaled 14 tackles and two sacks so far this year. Worthy, meanwhile, has 235 yards and two touchdowns through the air, and two more scores on the ground.

As if the Chiefs needed more scoreboard material, Worthy simply provided it.

The Kansas City Chiefs have already acquired Hopkins, filling their need for a high-level wide receiver. Hopkins has been solid so far in practice, and Reid looks forward to seeing more of him this week against the Buccaneers.

“He was champing at the bit on the sidelines wanting to play,” Reid said. “And at the same time, knowing he didn’t have it all figured out so there was patience, but he was in the game and I think you’ll be able to see more of that in the next game.”

However, the Chiefs receiving corps suffered another setback recently, as Skyy Moore is expected to miss significant time. He was placed on injured reserve. So, as Dianna Russini reported this week, if another wide receiver “falls into their lap,” the Chiefs will make a move. One of those players could very well be Mike Williams of the New York Jets or Adam Thielen of the Carolina Panthers.

The New Orleans Saints are a mess, having lost six straight heading into Week 9. Mickey Loomis could be persuaded to sell some of the team’s biggest departures, including defensive back Marshon Lattimore.

The Saints received calls on Lattimore, by ESPN. Still, his injury condition has kept interested parties from offering anything that New Orleans would accept for the four-time Pro Bowler.

Lattimore would be a great fit in Kansas City, where he would transform an already impressive Chiefs secondary into arguably the best in football — and this is a team that lost L’Jarius Sneed this past offseason.

Ultimately, teams concerned about Lattimore’s health may simply try to take advantage of his hamstring injury for less return. The Saints have a lot to gain by trading the 28-year-old, who has opt-out potential in his contract after the season. If New Orleans can convince a team to take on Lattimore and his contract while acquiring draft capital, expect him to be on the move by Tuesday.