In the Chiefs' 40 regular-season games since the start of the 2025 season, Rashee Rice has missed 24. In two other games, he exited after playing six snaps or fewer. He'll miss Week 7. Here's why there might not be a bright fantasy light at the end of this tunnel.
The Chiefs missed the postseason last year for the first time since 2014. They returned this year with essentially the same passing attack, plus Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker. This franchise is on a mission to win the title, and it has the personnel to do it.
Or do they? Tyquan Thornton is out indefinitely. Xavier Worthy is capable, but he hasn't shown he can be a true alpha. Travis Kelce is still great, and he's also 37, which is a yellow flag regardless of his all-time-great credentials.
Then there's Rice. How much does management trust that a guy who's missed more than half his team's games since early 2024 will be a reliable on-field presence for the rest of the season? He is their most talented receiver. Based on their current roster, he's irreplaceable.
That is why I believe the Chiefs will sign an impact WR, both as insurance for Rice's frequent unavailability and as a boost to a team that looks like a title contender. Fantasy managers rostering Rice would face a double whammy: a frequently absent WR and increased competition once he returns.
There's been buzz for weeks about Tyreek Hill returning to the team once he's healthy. Yes, that's possible. But I wonder if Kansas City is thinking beyond Hill, who, at 32, isn't guaranteed to play at a high level after an injury. Instead, guys like Stefon Diggs, Jerry Jeudy, or even a rebooted Brian Thomas Jr. could change the fantasy landscape of the Chiefs' receiving corps.
Managers rostering Rice in particular should think carefully before rejecting trade offers. His high ceiling is based on what he can do when he's healthy. But in a more crowded WR room, he might not be worth the wait.
Listen to this daily podcast for more quick-hit fantasy rundowns.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Why Rashee Rice might not be worth the wait for fantasy managers