In a Wednesday morning bombshell, the Tennessee Titans are trading superstar wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs are sending the Titans a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft that could turn into a fourth-round selection if certain conditions are met. Hopkins was always likely to be dealt ahead of the November 5 NFL trade deadline.
Titans general manager Ran Carthon is officially in sell-off mode. The 1-5 Titans could attempt to trade more talents in exchange for draft capital as they attempt to accelerate this offseason's inevitable rebuild. We've identified a handful of Titans that could be traded following the Hopkins deal.
Quanre Diggs, S
Like Hopkins, Quandre Diggs is a veteran player on an expiring contract. Diggs has played incredibly well for the Titans' top-ranked defense this season, but those are exactly the kind of players Carthon should be flipping in exchange for draft capital. The veteran safety has recorded 32 tackles this season.
Diggs has been starting at safety opposite Amani Hooker. The Titans could be less willing to part with Diggs after releasing veteran Jamal Adams, but acquiring draft picks should take priority. Mike Brown and Julius Wood are the other safeties on the 53 man roster.
Nick Folk, K
Kicker trades are rare, but several postseason contenders are attempting to survive both injury-and-performance-related issues at a position that becomes key once the playoffs start. Nick Folk is a perfect nine-for-nine for the Titans this season. Last year, Folk led the NFL in field goal percentage at 96.7% by converting 29 of 30 attempts.
The San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers qualify as potential suitors. The 49ers are dealing with an injury to starting kicker Jake Moody. The Packers recently released struggling kicker Brayden Narveson.
Jeffery Simmons, DT
Following the Hopkins trade, two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is easily Tennessee's most recognizable player. Simmons is also their most expensive talent after signing a four-year extension worth $94 million last April. Perhaps the right offer could pry him away from Tennessee.
Simmons hasn't met expectations in Dennard Wilson's defense this campaign. Simmons has recorded just one sack in five appearances. Pro Football Focus has credited him with nine quarterback pressures. The Titans expect more production from their $94 million defender, and no player should be considered off-limits at 1-5.
Tyler Boyd, WR
Hopkins wasn't Tennessee's only aging receiver on an expiring contract. The same is true for Tyler Boyd, who signed a one-year contract with the Titans in the offseason to command the slot position in the offense. Given Tennessee's willingness to flip Hopkins for draft capital, Boyd could fall victim to a similar line of thinking.
Boyd has served as a reliable safety net for struggling quarterback Will Levis this season. Boyd is tied with running back Tony Pollard among all Titans pass catchers in receptions with 18 despite placing third in targets with 24. The Titans also have a potential young replacement on the roster in sixth-round rookie Jha'Quan Jackson.