Marshon Lattimore problem, more WR options, Worthy’s message board

The Kansas City Chiefs didn’t wait until the NFL trade deadline to upgrade at positions of need. Although the back-to-back Super Bowl champions remain undefeated this season, Brett Veach and Andy Reid are by no means under the impression that the roster is as unblemished as the record suggests.

The Chiefs traded for DeAndre Hopkins, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, and Josh Uche from the New England Patriots. Uche should add some key pass-rush depth down the stretch, and he has the flexibility to play outside linebacker or an EDGE defensive end in Steve Spagnuolo’s system. Hopkins, of course, is a former All-Pro whose best days are behind him. Yet he can still create separation on the field, something the Chiefs offense has lacked despite some big offseason additions that just haven’t worked out.

There are rumors around the league that the Chiefs aren’t done yet. Will that amount to a new transaction? Who knows, but this is what the insiders hear.

Although the Buffalo Bills traded back in favor of Keon Coleman, allowing the Chiefs to select Xavier Worthy in the first round of the NFL Draft, it turned out to be a smart decision. Buffalo showed no disrespect to the Texas product on draft night, even as many of us continue to question their motives.

Instead, it was the Indianapolis Colts who reportedly hung up on Worthy on draft night. Worthy would have been an intriguing fit in the Colts offense, which was then led by Anthony Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor. Worthy, when theoretically placed next to Michael Pittman II, makes for a talented receiving corps – at least on paper. The Colts chose to go a different route.

The Colts drafted Laiatu Latu out of UCLA with their first-round selection. The defensive lineman has 14 tackles and two sacks so far this year. Worthy, meanwhile, has 235 yards and two touchdowns through the air, and two more scores on the ground.

As if the Chiefs needed any more bulletin board material, Worthy simply provided them with it.

The Kansas City Chiefs have already acquired Hopkins, filling their need for a high-profile addition at wide receiver. Hopkins has been solid in practice so far and Reid is looking forward to seeing more of him this week against the Buccaneers.

“He was chomping at the bit on the sideline that he wanted to play,” Reid said. “And at the same time, knowing that he didn’t have everything, so there was patience, but he was in the game and I think you’ll be able to see more in the next game.”

However, the Chiefs’ receiving corps recently suffered another setback as Skyy Moore is expected to miss significant time. He was placed on wounded reserve. So, as Dianna Russini reported this week, the Chiefs will act if another wide receiver “falls into their lap.” One of those players could very well be Mike Williams of the New York Jets or Adam Thielen of the Carolina Panthers.

The New Orleans Saints are in a mess, having lost six straight games heading into Week 9. Mickey Loomis could be persuaded to sell some of the team’s biggest starts, including defensive back Marshon Lattimore.

According to ESPN, the Saints have received calls on Lattimore. Still, his injury status has kept interested parties from offering anything New Orleans would accept for the four-time Pro Bowler.

Lattimore would be a great fit in Kansas City, where he would turn an already impressive Chiefs secondary into perhaps the best in football – and this is a team that lost L’Jarius Sneed this past season.

Ultimately, teams concerned about Lattimore’s health may just be trying to leverage his hamstring injury for lower returns. The Saints have a lot to gain by trading the 28-year-old, who has a potential expiration date on his contract after this season. If New Orleans can get a team to acquire Lattimore and his contract while acquiring draft capital, you can expect him to be on the move on Tuesday.