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Rashee Rice emerged as Patrick Mahomes's favorite wide receiver last season, helping the Chiefs win another AFC championship and Super Bowl title in his rookie season.
However, he had a turbulent offseason as he was arrested in March and charged with multiple felonies after a street-racing incident resulted in multiple injuries. The chances of a suspension have caused some fantasy managers to avoid drafting Rice for this season.
Will Rice be available for Kansas City in Week 1? Will he be suspended at all this year?
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Will Rashee Rice Play In Week 1?
With the Chiefs' opener against the Baltimore Ravens being only one week away, all signs are pointing toward, "Yes, he'll play."
The NFL has yet to take any action against Rice and it's looking as if they won't do so until after Rice's criminal proceedings are over. Rice's criminal trial doesn't even have a date yet, though several civil trials where victims of the incident are suing Rice have been set for this coming December and next June.
The likelihood of Rice being suspended at all this season is low and many are now predicting that he will probably end up serving a suspension at the beginning of the 2025 season if the league does take action.
Rashee Rice 2024 Fantasy Outlook
Rice has been a hot commodity in drafts this Summer, especially as the chances of his suspension have lessened over the last few weeks. He had a very productive rookie season, tallying 938 yards receiving and seven touchdowns. He averaged 4.9 catches per game on 6.4 targets. We should expect those numbers to go up with Rice locked into the WR1 role this season, too.
The Chiefs brought in Marquise Brown through free agency and Xavier Worthy in the draft. But Brown is already banged up to start the season, and Worthy is likely to be used as more of a deep threat down the field than as a chain mover like Rice.
R7 - Rashee Rice
WTF.
The threat of suspension is practically gone for 2024 and this is a guy who averaged 17.0 PPR points from Week 11 onwards.
Now Worthy and Hollywood will keep defenses stretched and Rice can clear up underneath. pic.twitter.com/P9n0ICNVL2
— Tom Strachan (@NFL_TStrack) August 24, 2024
Rice's ADP has been on the rise for a while now, but even in the 60-70 range he still feels like a steal as he has some major upside this year with Mahomes having even more trust in him. Nick Mariano has Rice ranked as high as 55 overall and it's easy to see why. He's incredibly talented and going to be a huge part of one of the best offenses in football.
You may have to reach in drafts to get Rice, but he should be a very worthwhile investment this season.
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