Okay so my first reaction was shock/anger at Bill O’Brien for making yet another boneheaded trade. But then I thought about it…

…and I actually really like this move.

Bill isn't to turn us into the Patriots—he's trying to turn us into the Chiefs.

Look at the 40 yard dash times of our WR lineup…

Will Fuller: 4.33

Brandon Cooks: 4.33

Kenny Stills: 4.38

Randall Cobb: 4.46

EDIT: and Keke Coutee: 4.43

(For comparison, Tyreke Hill, Mecole Hardman, and Sammy Watkins ran a 4.28, 4.33, and 4.46, respectively)

I love Nuk, but raw speed was never his specialty (4.57). And while he's known as a phyisical reciever, it's not like he was the hulking freak of nature like Dre (who ran a 4.41 at 224 pounds). Nuk was great because of all of the small technical aspects to his game as well as big hands and sideline catch radius.

I'm not saying this as a slight to Hop, because he's still a top 3 receiver (arguably the best), and being faster obviously doesn't make you better. However other than on quick slants and outs it took a bit longer to get the ball to him because he got his separation from physicality at the top of his route. And when you're Deshaun Watson, that means you'll scramble and pass up giving the ball to a quicker receiver because finding Hop is a more surefire completion.

It seems like BoB is trying to emulate the Cheifs strategy of increasing overall team speed, and Hopkins, unfortunately, doesn't fit into that plan (well that, and BoB having personal grudges with him)

…

Don't get me wrong, I still hate the initial DHop trade because of the poor value in return. We should rightfully still roast BoB for trading away Hopkins for "cap reasons" only to take on an expensive RB and WR. I still think we need a real GM so that we don't keep getting fleeced, and I still don't trust BoB's crucial moment decision making as a coach.

However, salaries and poor draft compensation aside, on a pure football level, I actually like this move and I think it could make us better.