DeAndre Hopkins provides greater return for Chiefs than most pre-deadline trades

The Kansas City Chiefs are chasing a historic goal of a three-peat. Not everything has been perfect for K.C. inside of this chase, but there are still some positives that the Chiefs can lean on when the games get into crunch time. At the same time, some clear flaws are worth monitoring.

Even amidst the current hiccups that the Chiefs have shown us, one thing is clear. Their trade acquisition of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is making the sort of impact for which Kansas City was hoping, and he has not even garnered a full workload of snaps in certain contests.

If you look around the NFL, very few pre-trade deadline deals this season have made much of an impact so far. You cannot include Hopkins joining the Chiefs on that list, however. What has DeAndre Hopkins been able to do to help the Chiefs' offense? Is there a chance that his early success in Kansas City will elevate this team even further in the postseason?

Chiefs are getting more bang for their deadline bucks

A plethora of moves were made across the NFL before this year's trade deadline. As we look back on the full list of trades from the Sporting News, six total wide receivers were acquired. Outside of Hopkins, Davante Adams, Mike Williams, Diontae Johnson, and Amari Cooper were all acquired by teams in the AFC. Only Jonathan Mingo was moved to an NFC squad.

Cooper has been able to provide some splashes with Buffalo's offense. Adams was able to make a few key plays with his longtime friend Aaron Rodgers. But in comparison to the other wide receiver moves, DeAndre Hopkins has provided a greater bang for the buck of the Chiefs than arguably any wide receiver move from the deadline.

In Kansas City so far, Hopkins has amassed 26 receptions, 325 receiving yards, and 3 receiving touchdowns in six games played. Some of those other pieces only have one catch for their new teams. Adams now has five more catches with the Jets than Hopkins does with the Chiefs after Sunday's Week 13 action.

In the case of Johnson in Baltimore, the lack of usage is becoming a bit quirky. Comments from the Ravens after their loss to Philadelphia painted things in an awkward light. For Hopkins, though, he has been trusted in key spots in Kansas City and is rewarding the Chiefs when necessary.

Hopkins has picked the Chiefs up in tight situations

When adding a wide receiver like Hopkins, the Chiefs were getting a clear skill set that could be leaned on in specific areas. Places like the red zone have been where Hopkins has helped tremendously, evidenced by some of his touchdown catches in this offense. The way in which Patrick Mahomes can trust his large frame, massive catch radius, and mammoth hands on third downs is also critical. And let's be honest, not many names on the Kansas City depth chart are going to be painted as contested catch winners. Hopkins can fill that void.

Even when he is unable to make a grab, easy or difficult, Hopkins can still pick the Chiefs up in various ways. His ability to ad-lib or work towards leverage helps Mahomes in scramble situations or when plays are being extended. Defensive backs have been caught with penalties against him when panicking or chasing him down the field as well. We saw that on one rep on Black Friday. Hopkins gives Mahomes a target that he is comfortable with in any spot.

Chemistry with Mahomes should not be taken for granted

While the Chiefs' offense may not be operating consistently, Mahomes has been more under control in recent weeks. He has also continued to work with a pass-catching group that has evolved constantly over parts of the last few years. As a result, the fact that he and DeAndre Hopkins have already shown such great chemistry is a tremendous item for Kansas City fans.

We saw after the game against the Buccaneers that Hopkins was soaking in every moment of that win after he had a major part in taking down Tampa Bay. His excitement after the touchdown score in Carolina spoke a thousand words. And even in his introductory press conference to Kansas City, Hopkins mentioned how it had been a long time since he had received a clear chance at competitive football.

With Mahomes and Hopkins, having early chemistry does not just give the Chiefs offense a boost. It gives their quarterback a greater sense of calm as this season gets deeper. Hopkins has seen it all, and as defenses continue to adjust how they attack Kansas City, this is a veteran piece that the passer can give unique chances to, where he otherwise would not with different names on the depth chart.

Hopkins is a piece worth keeping around next year

The Chiefs will have other wide receiver names like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman, Justin Waston, and Marquise Brown, outside of DeAndre Hopkins, due for free agency this upcoming offseason. Rashee Rice will be hoping to return as early as possible for 2025 from injury. And in year two, Xavier Worthy's role will be highly anticipated.

Could the Chiefs look to bring Hopkins back next year? Depending on how this year finishes, Kansas City could be eager to bring a presence like his back for another run. It is also difficult to imagine a huge market for him in free agency, outside of a few other contenders, next year as well. If this move turns out to be a difference-maker for this season, it would not be surprising if Kansas City pushed to keep DeAndre Hopkins for 2025.