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Hopkins should debut with KC this week

DeAndre Hopkins just joined Kansas City, but Andy Reid indicates he’ll likely be playing on Sunday. They’ve got a need at wide receiver, and Hopkins is a capable veteran

"Well, it could be this weekend, we'll just see how he picks [it] up, I've got to get him on the practice field," Reid said before practice today. "Why wait, right? If he can handle it, without putting him in a bad position."

Two other notable veterans switched teams last week, and both played extensively in their first games. Amari Cooper caught 4 touchdowns for Buffalo, including a touchdown, while Davante Adams saw 9 targets (albeit with just 3 completions).

As I noted on the weekend, 13 other pass catchers in the 32-team era switched teams during seasons in which they caught at least 50 passes. In nine of those 15 previous instances (including Cooper and Adams), the player made a positive impact in his first game with his new team – either a touchdown or at least 5 catches.

I see five guys who can be termed misses, and I’ve got them tagged with black dots. Adams, Antonio Bryant, Percy Harvin, Golden Tate and Mohamed Sanu all caught 2-3 passes for 30 or fewer yards. And the late Demaryius Thomas lands in the gray area, with 3 catches for 61 yards. The other nine all came away with positive production in their first games.

Hopkins gets a softball matchup of sorts in his first game, with the Raiders currently in freefall. I could see him in his first game coming up with a touchdown. Or two. He gives them another Kelce-type shorter range target that Mahomes can look to in high-leverage moments. Hopkins can’t run anymore, so I don’t expect him to be catching any touchdowns from 30-plus yards. I will guess that his longest touchdown this year will be under 20 yards.

TRANSPLANTED PASS CATCHERS
YearPlayerOppResultNoYdsTD
2003Kevin Johnson, Jac.at NYJL 10-135770
2004• Antonio Bryant, Cle.Phil.L 31-342260
2007Chris Chambers, S.D.Hou.W 35-102351
2010Deion Branch, N.E.at Balt.W 23-209981
2011Brandon Lloyd, St.L.at Dall.L 7-346740
2014• Percy Harvin, NYJBuff.L 23-433220
2018Amari Cooper, Dall.Ten.L 14-285581
2018Demaryius Thomas, Hou.at Den.W 19-173610
2018• Golden Tate, Phil.Dall.L 20-272190
2019Emmanuel Sanders, S.F.Car.W 51-134251
2019• Mohamed Sanu, N.E.Cle.W 27-132230
2021Zach Ertz, Ari.Hou.W 31-53661
2022T.J. Hockenson, Min.at Was.W 20-179700
2024Amari Cooper, Buff.Ten.W 34-104661
2024Davante Adams, NYJat Pitt.L 15-373300
2024DeAndre Hopkins, K.C.at L.V.????

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index