Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice has received a six-game suspension from the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy. The suspension stems from his April 2024 arrest following a high-speed incident that caused a multi-car collision and left several people injured.
A suspension always seemed inevitable, but now, fantasy football players get clarity on exactly how long Rice is out as they head into their drafts. Now, the Chiefs will be without Rice until Week 7, when they host the Las Vegas Raiders.
But now that he's out for six weeks, should you draft Rashee Rice in fantasy football?
Kansas City was already been preparing for his absence, expecting WR Xavier Worthy to lead the WR corps, so the official ruling allows the team to shift its full focus toward Week 1 against its division rival, the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Rashee Rice Suspension Update for Fantasy Football
At first glance, Rice’s suspension appears to be a major blow, but the Chiefs proved last season that they can adapt. Rice missed much of 2024 due to injury, and the offense remained productive.
The Chiefs boast several playmakers who will see larger roles in his absence. In four full games last season, Rice averaged 7.1 targets, 288 yards, and 12.0 yards per catch, production that will now need to be redistributed.
The biggest beneficiary in 2024 was WR Xavier Worthy. The former Texas Longhorn posted 59 receptions on 98 targets for 638 yards and 6 TDs. Kansas City expects a strong second season from him — and fantasy owners do too, as Worthy is now being drafted with WR2 upside.
Aside from the suspension, QB Patrick Mahomes is set up for a potential bounce-back season. The revamped offensive line should give him more time in the pocket and help restore TE Travis Kelce to a top tight end, as he is a candidate for serious touchdown regression after he scored just three in 2024.
Meanwhile, WR Hollywood Brown and RB Isiah Pacheco are both finally healthy and in position for expanded roles to start the season. Each has the chance to deliver career-best numbers if they can stay on the field.
Further down the depth chart, fourth-round rookie Jalen Royals could slot into the Rice role, but he's currently dealing with a knee injury and is not expected to play in Week 1, according to Andy Reid. When he's back, he should have a role with the first team offense with Rice sidelined.
Should You Draft Rashee Rice After Suspension?
Rice’s absence doesn’t only affect the Chiefs — it reshapes the fantasy football outlook for fantasy football players.
However, rather than waiting for the suspension to be handed down, now we know exactly how long Rice will sit out in 2025 — and when. Knowing Mahomes' WR1 will return before we get to the thick of bye weeks does give more credence to drafting him rather than the uncertainty prior to the ruling.
The good thing? If you have an IR spot, Rice can sit there until he's back. Keep in mind, Rice was a second-round pick early in the fantasy football season before
Here's the quick notes on how Rice's suspension affects fantasy football.
- Xavier Worthy now carries legitimate WR2 value with an ADP of 53 (WR23), as Kansas City leans on him heavily early.
- There's credence to Worthy taking over the WR1 role in his sophomore season before Rice returns in Week 7, especially considering his heavy usage down the stretch in 2024.
- Surprisingly, JuJu Smith-Schuster may have relevance early in the season as Jalen Royals is not expected to play Week 1. Smith-Schuster will likely play the Rice role in the offense in Week 1.
- Hollywood Brown becomes a deep sleeper with FLEX upside through the first six weeks, often available in rounds 13–14 of drafts. In five games last year, Brown did not top 50 receiving yards after he returned from injury.
- Patrick Mahomes is currently drafted as the QB6 around the fifth round, just behind Joe Burrow. His ceiling remains intact, but his ADP could shift slightly in the wake of this news, allowing players like QB Baker Mayfield or QB Bo Nix to make the leap up in draft boards.
- With Rashee Rice going in the 60s alongside WR Zay Flowers, WR Calvin Ridley, and WR Tetairoa McMillan. Unlike that trio, Rice enters the season with uncertainty, but his Week 7 return gives him the highest potential ceiling of the group — making him a classic boom-or-bust stash.
Rice can still be an incredibly productive fantasy receiver this season after his suspension, as seen by his pre-injury stats from 2024. Of course, Worthy has emerged as an offensive mainstay, but Rice should still hold down the WR1 spot when he's back.
If any team can survive the loss of a starting WR, it’s the Kansas City Chiefs. Worthy will see an expanded role, Kelce remains a focal point, and Brown and Pacheco are poised to step up.
Once Rice returns in Week 7, this offense has the firepower to emerge as a top-five unit in the NFL down the stretch.
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