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Rashee Rice was instrumental in the Kansas City Chiefs' success during the 2023 NFL season. Despite being a rookie who started in only eight regular-season games, he finished with 79 receptions, 938 yards, and seven touchdowns. Such numbers have the Chiefs and their fans expecting more from the former Southern Methodist University standout.
But despite Kansas City's success last year, it felt the need to bolster the wide-receiver unit. That's why it brought in former Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals wideout Marquise Brown. Heading into his sixth NFL season, Brown is looking to bounce back after finishing with a career-low 574 receiving yards in 14 games.
Two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Patrick Mahomes can get the most out of Rice and Brown as they become more prominent in the Chiefs offense. Which of the two wideouts is the better fantasy football option for 2024?
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It's easy to forget that Brown was a first-team All-American during his final year at Oklahoma. While catching passes from Kyler Murray, Brown had 75 receptions, 1,318 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns in his second and last season with the Sooners.
Those numbers made him a first-round selection in 2019. However, he hasn't entirely lived up to the hype. He barely reached 1,000 yards in one of his first five NFL seasons (1,008 in 2021), and his receptions have decreased from 91 in 2021 to 67 and 51 in the succeeding seasons.
Marquise Brown finishes as a Top 10 WR.
The the last time we saw Hollywood fully healthy playing with a starting NFL QB that was also fully healthy...
He was a Top 5 WR.
Projects to be WR1 on KC for Mahomes.
Minimal target competition.
Must draft!pic.twitter.com/sOH4n5d5ag https://t.co/8NocpMG8vk
— Joe Orrico (@NoExpertFF) June 7, 2024
Despite the downward trend in his career, fantasy football experts are optimistic about Brown's prospects this season. RotoBaller's Fantasy Football Rankings have him as the 35th-best wideout in PPR formats before the 2024 season, higher than DeAndre Hopkins (37th), Chris Godwin (38th), and Courtland Sutton (41st).
Playing with the NFL's best quarterback should trigger an increase in his numbers. That's why as the 73rd-ranked player in fantasy, he has the potential to provide tremendous value despite being a mid-round selection.
Rashee Rice Fantasy Football Outlook
Rice was the most consistent among the Chiefs wide receivers last season. He finished second behind tight end Travis Kelce in receiving yards and had 478 yards more than third-place Justin Watson. Therefore, much will be expected of him as he enters Year 2.
However, whether he will be Kansas City's WR1 depends on his training-camp performance and the outcome of his legal battles. Likewise, Brown can give him a run for his money as the Chiefs' primary wideout.
Rashee Rice out here looking like Jerrypic.twitter.com/PBsnT0CDW1
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 31, 2023
Even without the off-field concerns, it isn't easy to trust Rice as a WR1 in fantasy football because Kelce will always get his touches. Mahomes must also feed Isiah Pacheco, who might have his first 1,000-yard rushing season.
But Rice will get his catches, given Mahomes' excellent command of the line of scrimmage. If the three-time Super Bowl quarterback can put defenders in uncomfortable situations, chances are he will find Rice wide-open downfield.
Who Should You Draft Between Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown in Fantasy Football?
Rice isn't far behind Brown, the 40th-ranked wide receiver for fantasy football in 2024, per RotoBaller's preseason Fantasy Football Rankings. But while both players are valuable WR2s for your fantasy team, prioritizing Rice over Brown is a wise decision.
Brown might struggle to perform within Andy Reid's system even if he had the entire offseason to learn the plays. Conversely, Rice has a year's experience, making the offense second nature to him.
Likewise, NFL Fantasy projects slightly better numbers for Rice (77 receptions, 839 yards, six touchdowns) than Xavier Worthy (61 receptions, 818 yards, six touchdowns) and Brown (56 receptions, 777 yards, six touchdowns). While the difference looks small, it could set the tone between winning and losing, especially in PPR and half-PPR formats.
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