Better Option for the Chiefs: Odell Beckham Jr or DeAndre Hopkins?

Even before losing JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman in free agency, the Kansas City Chiefs are quietly in need of weapons on the outside.

This was even more prevalent in the Super Bowl when the Chiefs did not have a pass-catcher outside of Travis Kelce and Smith-Schuster eclipse 20 yards. Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore, two receivers that will need to take a step in 2023, each had one total catch for single-digit yards. Kelce will also be 34 years old during the upcoming season.

Two names that have been linked to the Chiefs for the majority of the offseason are Odell Beckham Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins.

Albert Breer confirmed the buzz during his Monday Morning Quarterback podcast.

"“The Chiefs have shown interest in both Hopkins and Beckham. And they’ll add a receiver somewhere along the line (at least one in the draft, probably regardless), to join Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, and Skyy Moore. Whether it’s one of the two names you presented here, I think, will come down to cost.”Albert Breer"

Beckham Jr., missing all of last season due to a Torn ACL, has been one of the intriguing free-agent wide receivers that seem to have a market.

It was reported that the 30-year-old wideout was seeking $15-20 million, but that price has unsurprisingly come down a bit. For the right price, Beckham Jr. is a solid solution for a team needing a pass-catching option.

Hopkins has become available via trade. The Cardinals are entering a season where they will most likely be a bottom-five team in the NFL, mainly because Kyler Murray is coming off a torn ACL, and most likely will miss substantial time in 2023.

Because of this, it is smart for Arizona to unload expensive contracts that will be wasted on a team looking to re-tool or rebuild, depending on how bad the team is this upcoming season. If the Cardinals end up with the first pick, Arizona may very well just start over and draft Caleb Williams, obviously moving Kyler Murray, despite the amount of dead money they will have to take on by doing so.

Initially, Arizona was seeking a second-round pick and a player for Hopkins. That asking price has seemingly become cheaper according to Breer.

"“I don’t think it’ll be what they wanted initially. The asking price has been a second-round pick and another asset,” Breer said. “Based on indications I’ve gotten, that sort of return simply isn’t coming. I do think he’ll bring back more than Brandin Cooks for the Texans – Houston got a 2023 fifth rounder and a 2024 sixth rounder for him from the Cowboys – but it’ll probably be closer to that than what Arizona is looking for.”Albert Breer"

It is also important to note that the Chiefs have about $10 million in cap space, while Hopkins has a base salary of $19.5 million. Kansas City would have to restructure the contract if a trade is made.

When mapping out the two options for the Chiefs, there are many things to consider, especially compensation.

While the Chiefs would have to trade possibly two mid-round picks and deal with restructuring Hopkins’ contract, Beckham Jr. would cost the Chiefs no draft picks and less money.

If both players were free agents, Hopkins would undoubtedly be the choice. Hopkins, 31, is only one year older than Beckham Jr. and has been able to stay healthy. It also helps that the trade compensation is more likely to be two picks between the third through fifth rounds. That is a bargain for a player that compiled 64 catches for 717 yards and three touchdowns in only nine games last season.

If the Chiefs want to take a risk with injuries but save money and draft picks, then Beckham Jr. is the answer. However, if the Chiefs are willing to move a couple of draft picks and pay more, Hopkins will be the answer. Because the Chiefs have 11 picks in the upcoming draft, I believe they should sacrifice two of those picks for a player that will guarantee production and has a better history of being available each and every week.