Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers safety Logan Ryan (33) tackles Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) during the second quarter of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Andy Reid refused to declare wide receiver Rashee Rice out for the remainder of the season when he met with the media on Monday afternoon.
Rice was carted off the field after a gruesome injury with Patrick Mahomes in the Kansas City Chiefs’ 17-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Reid explained that his speedy, talented wide receiver still has to undergo more testing, but reports indicate that the Chiefs fear that he tore his ACL in that collision.
The Chiefs are already without Marquise Hollywood Brown (shoulder) until at least January. Factor in Travis Kelce’s inability to find the end zone, and the Chiefs are left with JuJu Smith-Scheuster, Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman and Skyy Moore. In the run game, they’re down Isiah Pacheco (fibula) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (personal).
Somehow, Kansas City is 4-0. Despite this record, their offense does not seem up to their typical, explosive standard. At some point, they might need to pick up the phone and call some reinforcements to help Mahomes run the offense.
Here are a few trade candidates for the Chiefs to target, especially if Rice’s knee injury is significant enough to replace him.
Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns
Dec 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) catches a touchdown pass with Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre (5) chasing in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. credits: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports Why not swing for the fences? You could make the argument that Cooper would instantly become the most qualified wide receiver to ever team up with Mahomes.
For whatever reason, things have not clicked with Cooper and quarterback Deshaun Watson in Cleveland. He’s 30 years old and playing on the last year of his contract.
The Browns aren’t likely shopping one of their only offensive weapons at this point, but there’s a price for everything. Right?
Darius Slayton, New York Giants
Darius Slayton. Photo via IMAGN. Slayton’s upside has always been an untapped mystery during his time with the Giants. Perhaps Mahomes could unlock that potential.
Despite playing in 81 percent of snaps for the Giants this season, New York’s offense still runs through rookie Malik Nabers. There’s no hiding that he’s the future of that room.
Still just 27 years old, Slayton could play himself into a longer-term role in Kansas City. He will also be a free agent at the end of this season, so it’s not like the Chiefs are marrying him, and it wouldn’t cost very much to pry him away from the Big Apple.
Odell Beckham Jr., Miami Dolphins
Jun 5, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) and head coach Mike McDaniel look on during mandatory minicamp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports Let’s get crazy for a second. Beckham has yet to take a snap for the Miami Dolphins. According to reports, he’s getting ready to begin practicing soon.
Miami’s future is widely unknown due to the health of Tua Tagovailoa. If we’re being honest, it’s hard to see a world where they could ever contend in the AFC this season, especially cycling through QBs Skylar Thompson and Tyler “Snoop” Huntley while they await Tagovailoa’s return to football.
Beckham signed a one-year deal with the Fins this offseason to compete for another Super Bowl. That’s probably not happening this year in Miami. But, similarly to Cooper’s situation in Cleveland, they’re likely not shopping him.
But coming off of another injury? The price on Beckham wouldn’t be too high. He caught 35 passes for 565 yards and three touchdowns for the Ravens last season. That sort of productivity is exactly what the Chiefs will be missing in Rice.
