Is Rashee Rice or Xavier Worthy the WR1 for the Chiefs?

After enjoying a solid rookie season, Rashee Rice appeared to be on his way to becoming Patrick Mahomes' leading wide receiver. However, things changed this offseason when Rice was involved in a high-speed hit-and-run car accident. News also broke this week regarding Rice allegedly assaulting a photographer at a nightclub.

It’s unclear what kind of suspension/discipline Rice is facing. The team then traded up in the 2024 NFL Draft to select receiver Xavier Worthy. With first-round draft capital attached to his name, Worthy immediately enters the conversation for top dog in this wide receiver room.

Either one of these players could emerge as the team's top option. Today, let’s explore who’s more likely to become the two-time defending Super Bowl champions’ WR1.

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Who is the Kansas City Chiefs’ WR1?

Rice posted strong advanced metrics as a rookie. He checked in with an impressive 2.62 yards per route run (YPRR) and a 28% targets per route run (TPRR), per Fantasy Points Data Suite. He did have an oddly low 4.8 average depth of target (aDOT), which does raise some questions regarding his analytical profile. By all other measures, though, he looks like a stud and is the leader to begin the season as the team’s WR1.

Rashee Rice Touchdown pic.twitter.com/w2rEFSJMkm

— 32BeatWriters (@32BeatWriters) September 8, 2023

Worthy boasted an extremely impressive profile while at the University of Texas. He immediately produced as a freshman and broke the NFL record for the fastest 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Combine.

OFFICIAL: 4.21

Xavier Worthy HOLDS THE NEW 40-YARD DASH RECORD pic.twitter.com/IrXf3WyemB

— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2024

Both these players complement each other well. Rice can continue to patrol the underneath and intermediate areas of the field while Worthy works deeper downfield and stretches the defense. For, now we give the WR1 edge to Rice as he already has a year’s worth of experience in Kansas City’s system. This is contingent upon Rice’s legal status and whatever discipline he receives from the league.

Who Should I Draft in Fantasy Football?

This is a tough call to make right now given the uncertainty surrounding Rice. There have been reports he could be suspended for as many as eight games. Such discipline would severely impact his fantasy football outlook.

Kansas City has already stated it would want Worthy to add weight to his frame and plan to bring him along slowly. This is another point in Rice’s corner. If Rice’s discipline is pushed to 2025 or he misses 1-2 games, then he is the preferred option in fantasy football drafts.

However, if he is slapped with a lengthy suspension, then Worthy becomes a much more intriguing pick. The Chiefs' plan to slowly integrate him would be thrown out the window, and the rookie would be forced into action. Worthy brings a unique speed-based skill set that Rice just does not possess. If Worthy is given enough playing time early, he could take the opportunity and use that record-breaking speed to entrench himself as Kansas City’s WR1.

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