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Adam Schefter, ESPN Senior Writer
With Rams coach Sean McVay practically yanking Cooper Kupp off the trade market, teams in search of wide receiver help now are expected to turn to other targets.
The two receivers who have generated the most conversation so far are Carolina’s Diontae Johnson and Jacksonville’s Christian Kirk, league sources told ESPN.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see at least one of — and possibly both — Johnson and Kirk traded by the NFL’s Nov. 5 trade deadline, continuing a trend of wide receiver being the most in-demand and tradeable position.
In the past week, three high-profile wide receivers have been traded: Davante Adams to the Jets, Amari Cooper to the Bills and DeAndre Hopkins to the Chiefs.
More trades are expected.
The Panthers already have received multiple inquiries on Johnson, and sources believe Carolina is seeking a midround draft pick in return for a player who this season, despite playing in a struggling offense, has 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns.
Some sources believe it’s only a question of where Johnson winds up before the trade deadline. The Panthers (1-6) play in Denver on Sunday and already have ruled out Johnson because of a rib injury.
Johnson is 28 and due to make $3.5 million for the rest of the season — making him both younger and cheaper than some of the other potentially available wide receivers.
Carolina will continue to listen to offers as the trade deadline approaches, but there are some sources who believe that, after a flurry of wide receiver trades, Johnson is now the receiver most likely to be moved.
Other teams also are eyeing Kirk, whose performance this season in Jacksonville has fallen off compared to past seasons. Should the Jaguars lose Sunday to Green Bay to fall to 2-6, it might make it more likely they would be willing to entertain offers for players such as Kirk.
Kirk, 27, has 25 receptions for 320 yards and one touchdown this season, his third with the Jaguars.
The Jets also would be open to trading away veteran wide receiver Mike Williams for the right price, according to league sources.
Teams still in need of a receiver are thought to be the Steelers and the Chargers, among others.
There had been speculation about whether the Rams would be willing to trade Kupp, but McVay did his best to shut down that conversation after Thursday night’s victory over the Vikings. McVay reiterated his stance on Kupp on Friday morning, saying a trade involving the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year is “not a move that we want to make.”
“He’s a Ram, and we expect him to stay that way,” McVay said.