Just about every NFL fan, not just Green Bay Packers faithful, feels something about the Kansas City Chiefs: loathing, envy, admiration, awe, or maybe just plain indifference due to over-exposure. Sunday will be Andy Reid’s 7th straight AFC Championship appearance as the Chiefs pursue a three-peat.
They will also be trotting out the most pending free agents of any participant in either conference title game, some of which could interest the Packers this offseason. The nominees outlined below are four of the five highest-ranked Chiefs on PFF’s top 100 list.
Two Kansas City Chiefs Receivers the Green Bay Packers Should Consider If They Can’t Land a Better One
With the loss of Christian Watson to an ACL injury that should keep him out for part of 2025, the Packers will be looking for a receiver to bolster the current corps. Sunday’s AFC matchup features three veteran options, including the Bills’ Amari Cooper and the Chiefs’ DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown.
14th-ranked among all players on the market, Hopkins is the 5th-listed WR; at 36th overall, Brown is the 6th. Neither had outstanding seasons, due largely in Brown’s case to injury. In two regular season games, he had 9 catches on 15 targets for 91 yards. Last week against the Texans, he was targeted only twice in 25 pass attempts from quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Picked up from the Titans mid-season, Hopkins finished the year with 56 receptions, 610 yards, and 5 TDs. Against Houston, he drew a single target. He and Brown combined for 0 catches.
While neither player boasts appealing counting stats, Hopkins’ 78.6 PFF grade ranks in the upper quartile of wide receivers (23rd/98). Just two years ago, he caught 75 balls for 1075 yards as a Titan. While he has now played 12 seasons and is 32 years old, Hopkins could provide stability in Green Bay’s young receiving room, particularly while Watson remains out.
Brown is the less reliable of the two despite being only 27, as injuries essentially blacked out 2024 and have hindered him in prior seasons. As the only WR listed outside the top 15 free agents, he will probably be the cheapest of that group–ranked highest to lowest, Tee Higgins, Chris Godwin, Cooper, Stefon Diggs, Hopkins, and Brown–as well.
The Chiefs’ Defense Also Offers a Pair of Highly-Ranked Players
In Edgerrin Cooper, the Packers had a Defensive Rookie of the Year snub at linebacker last season. Cooper’s PFF pass rush score ranks 2nd at his position, with a Top 10 overall grade. Given his dominance rushing the passer, getting a run-stopper like Kansas City’s Nick Bolton could be a good idea–especially with LBs Eric Wilson and Isaiah McDuffie becoming free agents.
The Chief’s lead tackler last season (106), Bolton also recorded 11 TFL, six passes defended, three sacks and an interception. While his pass rush grade leaves much to be desired, he is a plus against the run and in coverage.
Between Wilson and McDuffie, Packers have 169 total tackles leaving in free agency, so they could use a replacement. Not only would Bolton supply that, he would be an excellent counterpart to Cooper.
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At safety, the Packers could also consider Justin Reid. While Xavier McKinney, Javon Bullard, and Evan Williams all played significant snaps in 2024, Reid would be a substantial upgrade over Bullard (graded 20th/170 vs 141st). Despite his poor ranking, Bullard took the field for the 48th most snaps among safeties. Zayne Anderson’s free agency leaves an open spot on the depth chart, one Bullard could fill if demoted.
If the Packers begin next season still needing a receiver, they could also look to flip him in a deadline deal. Alternatively, they could trade him this offseason or on draft night if Reid is already on the roster. Although it isn’t the team’s most pressing need, it’s hard not to fantasize about a Reid-McKinney duo.
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