For Kansas City Chiefs fans hoping for some midseason reinforcements at wide receiver, the latest update from ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler will come as good news.
Fowler reported on Saturday that he believes the Chiefs have "multiple lines in the water" when it comes to their approach at the position, which certainly makes a potential deal seem more possible with numerous targets. The Steelers were also mentioned in Fowler's report as the other major team shopping for receiver help.
Two intriguing receivers emerge in trade deadline discussion
As for potential trade ideas, the list is rather long at wide receiver. However, Fowler specifically brought up two names in the same conversation: Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Josh Downs of the Indianapolis Colts.
"The Jaguars are not totally committed to trading Brian Thomas right now. He's in and out of the lineup. He would welcome a change at this point most likely. Teams are certainly interested. They play Sunday and then Thursday night against the Ravens. Nothing would happen before then, most likely, but after that, things could heat up," said Fowler.
Fowler does not specifically link the Chiefs to both players, so that much is important to admit from the top. But the connections feel obvious all the same, and it's not as if the Chiefs haven't been mentioned in previous reports for both players already.
"Then you've got Indianapolis' Josh Downs, who requested a trade, too, so those are two receivers who are on the radar. Does a team wait out Thomas? Do they move forward and try to get a deal done with Downs? Those are some of the dominoes that could fall at that position," said Fowler.
The Chiefs' challenge of threading the needle
Timing is a major factor because the trade deadline is looming on November 10. Rashee Rice is set to return for the Chiefs in Week 8 versus the Denver Broncos after missing the previous two games with a hamstring injury. If he reaggravates the injury, or if the Chiefs lose a second consecutive game with an anemic passing attack, the stakes might feel higher for K.C. marching toward the deadline.
If the Chiefs come out of Week 8 with a sense of urgency, general manager Brett Veach might be forced to go with more readily available help as sellers use their leverage with desperate bidders. The Colts have already started dealing off depreciating assets in contract years, and Downs' trade request only could accelerate his departure.
Even if Rice is healthy, the need is still just as pressing for some vertical receiving help. Thomas' ability to challenge defenses downfield opens things up for everyone else, which is exactly what Patrick Mahomes misses most after losing Tyquan Thornton to injury. But if the Jags aren't even convinced to sell, the cost might prove too high for Veach.
Brett Veach has a few WR options
But the Chiefs GM also has other options. Rashod Bateman of the Baltimore Ravens is another field-stretching weapon who might be available. Jerry Jeudy of the Cleveland Browns, Jauan Jennings of the Minnesota Vikings, and Chris Godwin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are other possible trade targets.
The Chiefs have some variables of their own in all of this. The schedule gets considerably lighter after the Broncos game for three weeks, which could give K.C. a chance to onboard someone at the right time. Tyreek Hill is a free agent working his way back from a major knee injury a year ago who might be in the team's sights as well. Another week or two of NFL games might also bring a new seller to the table.
The amount of smoke visible before the trade deadline makes a wide receiver trade seem obvious. The Chiefs have options, but they're not the only ones shopping in this department. They have just over a week to figure out what they're willing to pay and to sort out what others are demanding.
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