The New England Patriots were never going to acquire DeAndre Hopkins, despite their obvious need for a top wide receiver. But the reported trade sending Hopkins from Tennessee to Kansas City still has a trickle-down effect in Foxboro, Mass.
It likely means the Patriots have one less suitor for their wide receivers.
The unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs were widely viewed as a NFL trade deadline buyer even before they dealt for Hopkins. And it was well-known superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes would benefit from adding a wideout given Kansas City’s streak of injuries.
Given the Patriots have two veteran receivers (Kendrick Bourne, K.