general
Which rookie WRs are worth drafting in fantasy football? Start with these 7
Rookie WRs to consider in fantasy football drafts
Rashee Rice
WR · KC · 26 yrs · exp 3 · SMU
Status
- Game status
- Active
Keep Trade Cut (SF TEP)
From latest snapshot · trend vs ~7d prior when data allows.
Value
4,902
Rank
#65
Pos rank
#25
7d trend
—
Value history (90d)
One snapshot point per calendar day (shown in your timezone).
Latest: Sep 7, 2026 · 4,902
News
Stories linked to this player — newest first.
general
Ranking every NFL team's WR room: Cowboys and Bengals battle for top spot; Chiefs not helping Patrick Mahomes
Even in an NFL where the run game has been resurgent in recent seasons, the passing game is still king. After all, the reason we've seen teams lean more into the run of late is because defenses have prioritized taking away explosive passes. They are more content to let offenses try to beat them with the body blows of a series of runs, betting they can't do it without making mistakes before they reach the end zone. Because the NFL is still a passing league, wide receivers have never been more important. We've seen evidence of that in recent offseasons, as the financial market for wideouts has exploded and now tops $40 million per year. Of course, you can't just get away with having one good wide receiver. You need to build a receiver room that can threaten defenses in a variety of ways -- at least, if you want to have a really good offense. And with that in mind, we set out to rank the league's receiver rooms from worst to best: This one is fairly obvious. After moving on from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle , the Dolphins have the most barren wide receiver room in the league. There are hopes for rookies Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell , the latter of whom is coming off a major injury, but there's nothing we can count on here. The Raiders are lucky the Dolphins exist. The top options in this room are Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor , along with potentially Jack Bech and rookie Malik Benson . It's not an inspiring group. This might be too low for the Browns, but with such an unproven room, it was hard to push them any higher. KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston could make this ranking look silly if they get off to fast starts to their respective careers. With Rashee Rice still looking hobbled after rehabbing his knee injury in jail and Xavier Worthy again banged up in camp, the Chiefs might be counting on training-camp star Cyrus Allen to be a real factor, rather than a mere curiosity. That's a dangerous game to play. Tennessee had arguably the worst receiver room in the NFL last season and upgraded with Carnell Tate and Wan'Dale Robinson , but the depth is still questionable. Thirty-two-year-old Calvin Ridley is looking like the No. 3, while Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike are up next. There doesn't appear to be a true game-changing talent among the group. If Alec Pierce were definitively healthy rather than merely working his way back from offseason ankle surgery -- and therefore in question for Week 1 and perhaps beyond -- the Colts would probably rank higher. He's a good player, as is Josh Downs . But the depth beyond them, even with Keenan Allen in the fold, is still questionable. The Bills brought in DJ Moore to be their No. 1 wideout this year. He took a step back last season in Chicago and is now trying to recapture the form he had a few years ago. Khalil Shakir is a slot slot/gadget option. But the room beyond those players ( Josh Palmer , Keon Coleman , Skyler Bell ) is uninspiring. If Jordyn Tyson were healthy, the Saints would definitely rank higher, especially given how good Tyson looked during training camp. As is, though, you have to knock New Orleans because outside of Chris Olave , there is nobody on the depth chart that really scares you -- even if DeVaughn Vele had a solid stretch to end last season. Malik Nabers is working his way back from a serious knee injury. He seems on his way to full health, but we obviously can't know for sure until we see him on the field. Beyond him, the depth chart looks like it's clearing out for rookie Malachi Fields , because Darius Slayton and Darnell Mooney are role players and Calvin Austin III just tore up his knee. Garrett Wilson is awesome. Adonai Mitchell is somewhat tantalizing. Omar Cooper Jr . is apparently working his way up the depth chart after seeming like he may have been behind return specialist Isaiah Williams early in the preseason. If Mitchell taps into his talent and Cooper hits the ground running, the Jets could be better than expected. Terry McLaurin is a b [... truncated ...]
analyst
Cyrus Allen Gaining the Trust of His Quarterback
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen is reportedly earning the trust of quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Despite being a fifth-round pick, Allen has generated buzz in camp and showed promise in the preseason. While he is currently behind established receivers, his connection with Mahomes could make him a player to watch in deeper fantasy leagues
analyst
Cyrus Allen Draws Team-High Targets on Saturday, Continues to See Fantasy Stock Soar
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Cyrus Allen caught two of his five targets for 20 yards during Saturday's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams. It wasn't the greatest statistical performance, but Allen's five targets led the entire Chiefs team, suggesting that he'll be able to carve out a significant role this season. Allen drew the start alongside Jalen Royals and Tyquan Thornton on Saturday, so it seems like those three receivers are competing for the No. 3 role behind Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. The rookie appears to have an early leg up on the competition, and while there are still two more preseason games to be played, Allen is a quick riser in dynasty fantasy football leagues. The fifth-round pick out of Cincinnati currently ranks as the WR86 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty rankings
general
NFL preseason rookie watch list: Cowboys LB, Denzel Boston headline top 10 to monitor
The Hall of Fame game was a delicious hors d'oeuvres for the remainder of the NFL preseason . The league's other teams join in the excitement, beginning today and continuing through the end of the month. For many, preseason games are the first impressions fans have of rookies. Who are some of those rookies who deserve significant attention? Having already analyzed several rookies in different formats (noteworthy Pro Football Hall of Fame game participants and rookies competing for starting roles ), the intention was to bring new names to the table. The first-round picks were also excluded because that is low-hanging fruit; specifically, the top half of the round. For example, it goes without saying that everyone wants to see Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza , who will be sidelined for part of the regular season. Here are 10 rookies to monitor through the preseason: Allen has been the talk of Chiefs camp, drowning out concerns of the team declining to add more help for Patrick Mahomes . Although he is playing for his fourth team in as many seasons, the fifth-round pick has the top-end speed and suddenness to be a big-play threat in Kansas City. They need more consistency from a unit that has failed to provide it for a variety of reasons. Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice are the only returning receivers with at least 20 receptions last season. Barham is a good fit in Christian Parker's defensive scheme because he has the versatility to play more of an off-ball role and fit run gaps or overload the line of scrimmage as an extra rusher. Philadelphia has had players like Jihaad Campbell , Zack Baun and Nolan Smith to execute the Vic Fangio scheme. Barham's background has a similar flavor. Bernard's participation is like a science experiment. He has never played football, but has off-the-charts athletic potential within his 6-foot-4-inch frame. The Eagles bought a lottery ticket in the seventh round and hope it turns into another Jordan Mailata . Mailata is the exception, however, and not the rule. Philadelphia also has edge rusher Joshua Weru , who is coming through the International Player Pathway Program. Will the on-field production match the training camp hype? Few rookies have generated as much buzz as Boston to this point. The problem is that the public may not be able to make an accurate assessment of the player's ability to catch passes from that quarterback collective in northeast Ohio. Boston has already been named the starting X receiver. The team likes that the second-round pick is also an asset in the run game. First-round pick KC Concepcion will likely be moved around and put in motion the way Zay Flowers had been in Baltimore with Todd Monken. There has been a palpable buzz regarding Demmings, a fifth-round pick out of Stephen F. Austin. His former teammate, cornerback Jalen Mayo, will have an opportunity to be drafted next year after transferring to Houston. Cornerback has been an evergreen position of need for the Vikings . They signed Isaiah Rodgers and James Pierre each of the past two offseasons, but Demmings could be a viable long-term option for the franchise if he pans out. Golday may be listed as a linebacker, but his strength last season was rushing the passer. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores' scheme is ultra-aggressive, so Golday's versatility, especially at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, makes him an asset. He has generated a lot of positive feedback in training camp and is still just two years removed from Central Arkansas. How big of a role will he earn Week 1? Lane is another rookie receiver drawing rave reviews from camp. The coaching staff is different, but Baltimore has been searching for a taller receiver for years. They had done the DeAndre Hopkins experiment, but double-dipped in this year's draft with Elijah Sarratt and Lane. The hope is that Lane can allow them to play above the rim, but also spring Derrick Henry in the run game. After Thursday night of the 2026 NFL Draft , I spoke [... truncated ...]
WR · KC
WR · KC
general
10 Biggest Chiefs Questions: Can Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy bounce back in 2026?
Kansas City football questions for the 2026 season
WR · KC
general
Rashee Rice: Jail time was "learning experience" and "reality check"
Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice had an unexpected 30-day offseason jail stint, due to a positive THC test while on probation for felony charges arising from a 2024 street-racing incident. The timing, which is never really ideal, became especially problematic because it kept Rice away from the team during the offseason program. At first, he was unable to engage in rehab after a recent knee surgery. (He later got permission to leave the jail for the treatment he needed.) He spoke to reporters on Tuesday for the first time since his incarceration. “It was a learning experience and a reality check ,” Rice said, via Nate Taylor of ESPN. “Don’t focus on the past. Focus on what’s going on now. I’m doing [well] mentally. “It was mentally tough. They gave me ways to communicate with my teammates still and as well as my athletic trainer. Besides the hard times in there, I kept my mind right watching shows and as much Kevin Hart as I could to laugh.” There’s nothing to laugh about now when it comes to Rice’s NFL career. It’s a pivotal season, the last one of his rookie contract. He’ll make a mere $1.56 million, and the Chiefs have shown no inclination to sign him to a new contract. He got off to a great start as a rookie in 2023. Appearing in 16 games with eight starts — and taking only 58 percent of the snaps in the games he played — Rice still generated 938 receiving yards. He learned the offense faster than Tyreek Hill did. By the playoffs of Rice’s first year, it was clicking. He had 262 receiving yards on 26 catches in four postseason games. Then came the high-speed misadventures in Dallas. Then came the regular season, with a Week 4 knee injury that wiped out the rest of his second season. Last year started with a six-game suspension. This year begins with a largely clean slate. He now needs to show what he can do, in order to get the contract he thought he’d have by now. There’s no guarantee he’ll get it. With the franchise tag for receivers well below the current market, the Chiefs may decide to use the device to hold him in place for 2027 before making a long-term commitment. It would give them two full years to see whether he truly has learned the lessons flowing from the off-field misconduct
analyst
Cyrus Allen Standing Out Again in Training Camp Practice
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen has been one of the early standouts at training camp this summer for the Chiefs. The 23-year-old fifth-rounder from the University of Cincinnati missed some time with a shin injury last week, but he's back on the field again and had the first two completions from quarterback Patrick Mahomes on Tuesday during the early team blitz period, per The Kansas City Star's Pete Sweeney. Allen has built clear chemistry with Mahomes in practice. However, if all of Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Tyquan Thornton are healthy during the regular season, Allen is going to be fighting an uphill battle for consistent snaps on offense. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder never had more than 778 receiving yards in his four collegiate seasons at Cincinnati, Texas A&M, and Louisiana Tech, but he did manage to score 13 touchdowns on 51 receptions with the Bearcats in 2025. It's hard to envision major fantasy upside for Allen in 2026, but he's an interesting stash candidate in dynasty/keeper leagues
WR · KC
analyst
Cyrus Allen participates in 11-on-11s Monday
by Ari Koslow | Chiefs Correspondent | Mon, Aug 10th 2026, 11:38am EDT Cyrus Allen returned to participating in 11-on-11s on Monday. ( Matt Derrick on Twitter ) Fantasy Impact: It was the first time in training camp both Allen and Rashee Rice participated in 11-on-11s on the same day. Rashee Rice and Cyrus Allen both in 11-on-11s today. First time both have done that on the same day, IIRC. Ashton Gillotte has headed to the training tent and is rehabbing on the side. Category: Injury Updates | More Cyrus Allen : News , Rankings , Projections , Stats Add FantasyPros on Google
WR · KC
general
Rashee Rice progresses to 11-on-11 drills in Wednesday's practice
There is some positive news on the injury front for one of Kansas City’s key offensive pieces. According to multiple reporters on the scene, receiver Rashee Rice participated in 11-on-11 drills for the first time in 2026 training camp on Wednesday. Rice has been recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in May before serving a 30-day sentence for violating his probation by testing positive for THC. Rice was released from Dallas County Jail on June 16. While he did not begin training camp on the active/physically unable to perform list, the Chiefs have been bringing him along methodically during camp. Rice appeared in eight games last season, catching 53 passes for 571 yards with five touchdowns
analyst
Patrick Mahomes Taking Part in 11-on-11 Drills
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) is doing 11-on-11 drills at the start of training camp this week, according to Matt McMullen of Chiefs.com. Mahomes is a full-go for the start of camp despite tearing his ACL and LCL late last season. The 30-year-old has made excellent strides in his rehab during the offseason, and there's no reason to believe at this point that he won't be ready for the Week 1 showdown on Monday night against the division-rival Denver Broncos, barring a setback this summer. It will be interesting to see whether the Chiefs give Mahomes the clearance to play in any preseason games, but for now, this is a pretty significant development and a positive sign for Mahomes early in camp. The two-time MVP and six-time Pro Bowler will be looking to lead his team back to the postseason in 2026 after the offense has grown a bit stagnant in recent years. With receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy both healthy, though, Mahomes could be ready for a bounce-back after throwing for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 picks in 14 starts in 2025. Mahomes is quickly becoming a more attractive low-end QB1 target in redraft leagues
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DL Omarr Norman-Lott, TE John Michael Gyllenborg begin Chiefs' camp on active/PUP
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and wide receiver Rashee Rice are cleared to participate in the opening of training camp. Rookie tight end John Michael Gyllenborg and second-year defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott are not. Gyllenborg and Norman-Lott were placed on the active/physically unable to perform list on Saturday. The players can move back onto the 90-player roster once they have passed a physical. Norman-Lott tore the ACL in his right knee during a Week 7 game against the Raiders last season. He joined the team as a second-round pick in 2025 In five games as a rookie, Norman-Lott made five tackles and a sack. Gyllenborg, who signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent earlier this year, is working through a knee sprain that kept him out of the offseason program
general
DL Omarr Norman-Lott, TE John Michael Gyllenborg begin Chiefs' camp on active/PUP
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and wide receiver Rashee Rice are cleared to participate in the opening of training camp
WR · KC
general
Rashee Rice's knee is good to go for training camp
Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is cleared for training camp, coach Andy Reid said Friday. “Rashee Rice, with his knee debridement, is doing great ,” Reid said, via Jordan Foote of SI.com. “So he will, again, go. We’ll keep an eye on him, but he’s cleared to go.” Rice underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in May before serving a 30-day sentence for violating his probation by testing positive for THC. Rice was released from Dallas County Jail on June 16. “He’s done a great job rehabbing up here,” Reid said. “He’s been up here the whole time. He’ll be in and out here in the next couple of days, but he’s been here throughout.” Undrafted rookie wideout John Michael Gyllenborg is working through a knee sprain that kept him out of the offseason program. “Gyllenborg, he’s still working through the knee sprain which he had,” Reid said. “They’re doing some other evaluations on him, so we’ll just see for this camp here, most likely, he won’t get much work there.”
QB · KC
WR · KC
general
Andy Reid gives 6 Chiefs injury updates; Patrick Mahomes cleared to practice
On Friday, the Kansas City Chiefs unofficially opened training camp as quarterbacks, rookies and select veterans arrived at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. Head coach Andy Reid began his opening remarks with a rundown of the team’s initial injury situation. At the start of camp, injured players can be played on the Active/Physically-Unable-to-Perform list (PUP). This gives players time to work back to health before being activated to practice. Players remaining on the list at the end of camp can be kept on the Reserve/PUP list to start the season — but they are then ruled out for the first four games of the season. Starting in Week 5, teams have five weeks to open a 21-day practice window to the return to the active roster before the players are moved to season-ending injured reserve. Once a player practices in training camp, he is no longer eligible for the PUP list. Per Reid, fans can definitely expect second-year defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott to be placed on the PUP list ahead of next week’s practices. Norman-Lott tore his ACL in Week 7 of the 2025 season. “Norman-Lott most likely will start on PUP,” Reid confirmed. “But he’s making progress. He had the ACL reconstruction, there.” Of course, Norman-Lott is far from the most famous Chiefs player coming back from a major knee injury. The eyes of the NFL are when star quarterback Patrick Mahomes can retake the field after tearing his ACL and LCL in December. Mahomes appears set to avoid the PUP list designation to start camp. “Pat’s doing great with his,” Reid declared. “Right now, he’s got clearance to practice and do all the different periods that we have in this camp. We’ll just take it day by day and see how he does. He’ll have plenty of eyes on him from coaches to trainers to doctors. But right now, he’s been cleared to go ahead and participate fully.” Late in the offseason, we learned that wide receiver Rashee Rice would be absent from the team both due to a short incarceration and a cleanup surgery on his previously injured knee. Reid also does not expect any limitations on the wideout’s participation. “Rashee Rice with his knee debridement,” Reid continued, “is doing great. He will go. We’ll keep an eye on him, but he’s cleared to go.” Rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane was sidelined at the Chiefs’ mandatory minicamp in June with what was later revealed to be a shoulder injury. Reid hopes that the sixth overall selection from April’s draft is on the verge of being cleared. “Delane is having his final physical, right now,” the coach revealed. “So, he’s right in the process of that but is doing well there.” Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed returns to the Chiefs after two seasons spent with the Tennessee Titans . In his previous tenure with the Chiefs, the team was very cautious with Sneed’s practice reps while managing multiple recurring injuries. Expect more of the same in Sneed’s second stint in Kansas City. “LJ Sneed,” remarked Reid, “We always kept an eye on him with his knee. We’ll just take him slowly and gradually get him back in the mix there was we go. We’re looking forward to getting him back on the field.” One deep roster player that Chiefs fans may not see any time soon is undrafted rookie tight end John Michael Gyllenborg , a Kansas City native and Rockhurst graduate. Gyllenborg was not seen on the field throughout the offseason program. Reid described the issue as a knee sprain. “Gyllenborg,” he stated, “he’s still working through the knee sprain he had. They’re doing some other evaluations on him. We’ll just see for this camp. Most likely, he won’t get much work.” If Gyllenborg is sidelined due to pre-exiting injury from college, he is likely heading to the team’s Acitve/Non-Football-Injury (NFI) list. Overall, Reid is pleased with the squad’s initial health. “Other than that,” he predicted, “I think everybody’s in a pretty good position to roll. Really, Norman-Lott’s the main one. Big guys with ACLs — it takes a little bit [... truncated ...]
analyst
2026’s Most Traded Players | Dynasty Stock Watch
We’re in the midst of the dog days of summer. Best ball contests are peaking, and redraft leagues are beginning to set draft dates in earnest. Then, there’s the faction of us dynasty league degenerates who never stop—always grinding, looking for any edge. I’ve gathered trade data from Dynasty Daddy , and I want to examine the top five players that have been traded the most over the past month. We can determine how the market is currently valuing these players, and how we can apply lessons learned from the transactions. Fantasy often imitates reality. It was obvious that A.J. Brown was on his way out of Philly, yet somehow, when the trade was finalized and he ended up in New England, the market shifted. We saw Drake Maye and this New England offense operate efficiently with Stefon Diggs , and now the Pats will run it back with Romeo Doubs and now Brown. Once the trade was official in the NFL, the dynasty markets opened to a plethora of deals involving the 29-year-old Mississippi product. The Rashee Rice /Brown deal here seemed highly volatile to me. The uncertainty of Brown’s knee health, along with chemistry on his new team, against the uncertainty of Rashee Rice ‘s decision-making. A battle of wills! When both are locked in, they are top-15 wide receivers. I did see a Zay Flowers for Brown trade, and while I would take Flowers in that situation, it’s much closer for me if I’m looking at redraft only. There’s no doubting Brown’s talent; however, I do wonder if the way to replace a slot receiver (Diggs) that was the key piece of your offense is to add a physical outside receiver like Brown. There are also my concerns about his knee in the long term. Negatives aside, a WR2 season is a likely outcome for the former Eagle. His talent is enough to overcome most obstacles. If he can play a full season, then he should have no problem finishing out the year as a solid fantasy contributor. Brian Thomas Jr. exploded onto the scene in 2024, but 2025 was another story. Thomas struggled mightily, had various upper-body injuries, and an ankle injury that forced him to the sidelines. Was it all injuries, or something more? The debut season was so special that fantasy managers will continue to believe. I am concerned that with so much target competition in Jacksonville, BTJ may not reach the heights that he ascended to in his rookie year. Thomas and a 2027 second-round pick for Brown was a trade I found fair. It’s a clear move for a team to get young with a younger asset, plus the draft capital. If you want BTJ, be prepared to move an established veteran for him. Because the uncertainty of BTJ is what scares fantasy managers away. Bucky Irving checks all the boxes when it comes to identifying a true “buy low” player. First, there was the quote from head coach Todd Bowles back in May, when he said Irving would be back from his injury in the summer or fall. Then, the Bucs brought in running back Kenneth Gainwell and new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who “raved” about Gainwell and what he could do in an extended role. Irving featured so much talent in his rookie year, it’s hard to give up on him, even after a sophomore slump. Everyone remembers Irving’s struggles, but forgets that they had lost their starting right guard, Cody Mauch , in Week 2, and Tristan Wirfs was in and out of the lineup due to a knee injury. Note here: Exhibits 1a and 1b. One involved the 2026 1.05 (which we assume would be Jordyn Tyson , Makai Lemon , or Jadarian Price ), and a depth asset. The other deal was the Jets’ Breece Hall for Irving and a 2027 3rd. I prefer the Hall deal; however, the stink of the Jets’ offense doesn’t scare me off like it would most managers. I would still lean to the Hall side, personally. Irving is entering a massive year. If he struggles with injury again, or is inefficient with his touches, then his dynasty value will take an even bigger hit. The Bhayshul Tuten hype train has only continued to grow this offseason. Despite th [... truncated ...]
general
2026 Fantasy Football Rankings: Analysis for players ranked 25-36 in Half-PPR
This is Part III and the final column for my fantasy football top-36 rankings. You can read 1-12 and 13-24 to get you caught up to what I view as a pretty clear tier down from the second round. All of these players in the third round are very good in real football terms but might not have the true elite talent of the top-24 players or are in environments that put a relative cap to their total ceiling. Then there's the complete boom-bust nature of players like Rashee Rice , Josh Jacobs and players switching teams. Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2026 NFL season Picks 1-12 Picks 13-24 Picks 25-36 Devonta Smith , WR11, Eagles With A.J. Brown gone, Smith is the clear-cut WR1 for the first time since he broke as a rookie in 2021. In five games without AJB since then, Smith is the WR3 in yards per game (89) on WR10 targets (9.0). It's an extremely small sample and the Eagles have Makai Lemon now plus their red zone rush rate, but Smith could put up top-10 receiving yards if OC Sean Mannion proves to be an upgrade over last year's static play-caller. Smith was just at 64 YPG and 7.0 targets in games with AJB over that same sample. This could be a 10-20 receiving yards per game trade for Smith, who is firmly in the prime of his career without an injury history. While not quite as physically imposing as the others in the top-10 conversation, Smith checks every box and is capable of moving all across the formation. He'll probably play more outside this year, which could lead to a higher aDOT. I'd welcome that in fantasy, particularly in best ball. Another framing for Smith's 2026 fantasy value is to see where Brown ranked as Hurts' WR1 over the years, even if these are closer to upside comps than baseline comps. Brown was PPR's WR14 last year, WR16 in 2024, WR8 in 2023, and WR9 in 2022. It paints the picture of a low-end WR1 upside case and a projectable WR2 baseline in both full and half-PPR. Tee Higgins , WR12, Bengals Higgins has played 39 games with Joe Burrow healthy since 2022. He averaged 14.9 PPR points, equating to WR14 per-game production on WR15 usage. Even though he's a vertical ball winner receiver, Higgins is actually leading in success rate on his targets since 2022 when Burrow is healthy. That's incredible! Right now, Burrow is healthy, and I'd even add that the OL is no longer awful in Cincinnati . Hopefully that means more games for the MVP candidate. The 6'4" X-receiver has also played six games without Ja'Marr Chase since 2022 and averaged 18.1 PPR points in them. That's WR4 per-game since 2022. The contingent upside in the event Chase misses time is obvious, but do not discount it. We'd draft Higgins in Round 1 if he didn't have Chase while Burrow is healthy. The Bengals offense likely isn't going to change much in 2026 either. It's the same coaching staff with the same defensive question markets. Higgins is a high-floor option in Round 3, particularly in full-PPR. He's a simple-brain target (complimentary). Javonte Williams , RB14, Cowboys Williams looked a little healthier on tape last season, even if he's maxed out athletically compared to others in the top-three rounds of fantasy drafts. What he's good at is what coaches love (vision, power, protection), and the Cowboys have some great coaches on offense. Javonte looks like a saint next to Jaydon Blue and Malik Davis , so his playing time feels quite safe after signing a three-year, $24 million contract with $16M guaranteed. As the clear starter last year, Williams was the RB13 on RB6 usage using half-PPR scoring. That meant an 18th overall finish in total fantasy points over replacement. His efficiency was fine in the lens of EPA per carry (RB3 among backs with 10+ carries per game) and goal-line success rate (RB1 overall). He was just horrific as a receiver, averaging 2.7 yards per target with a 33% success rate. All of that should even out as an upside RB2 with a volume-based floor. The Cowboys were second in neutral p [... truncated ...]
analyst
Tyquan Thornton Considered a Starter in Three-Wide Sets
Tyquan Thornton is expected to be a starter in three-wide sets for the Kansas City Chiefs this season, playing alongside Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. After a 2025 season cut short by injury, Thornton is poised for increased snaps due to departures of other receivers. However, his weekly fantasy value may still be limited by the Chiefs' offense and the presence of Rice and Worthy. He is currently ranked as the No. 114 fantasy WR
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Fantasy Football Sleepers, Busts & Predictions: 2026 Kansas City Chiefs
Only one team has gone longer since its last 1,000-yard receiver than the Kansas City Chiefs , who last had someone crack 1,000 yards when Travis Kelce got there in 2022. (The Packers haven’t gotten there since Davante Adams in 2021.) No team has gone longer since its last 1,000-yard rusher than the Chiefs, who last had someone pass the threshold when Kareem Hunt did it in 2017. (The Chargers and Saints also had their last 1,000-yard rusher in 2017.) The easy thing to say is that everything disintegrated for Kansas City last year, with the team going from three straight Super Bowl appearances to a 6-11 finish. And of course in a lot of ways that’s true. But also, the team hasn’t actually been an offensive dynamo for a few years now, and it’s been Patrick Mahomes and a very good defense that have carried the team. Now heading into 2026, the team has a flashy new running back, a wide receiver who is healty and eligible, and potential. But does that mean a rebound 2026? Kansas City’s top pass catchers are (in some order) a tight end who turns 37 in October, a wide receiver who it seems is one off-field misstep away from being out of football, and a former first-rounder who only scored one touchdown and 532 yards last year despite playing as the team’s borderline WR1 much of the year. After those three (Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy , in order), the next options are guys like Tyquan Thornton , fifth-round rookie Cyrus Allen, backup tight end Noah Gray and Jalen Royals. In short, this team is not flush with pass-catching options, and if Patrick Mahomes can return healthy, someone’s going to have to step up, especially if Kelce really is over the age cliff and/or Rice can’t get his head on right. Royals did essentially nothing as a fourth-round rookie last year, not even seeing a target until he had 2 receptions for 4 yards on 3 targets in Week 18. But he had 1,080 yards and a MWC-leading 15 touchdowns at Utah State in 2023, and he followed that up with 834 yards and 6 scores in seven games in 2024. He’s got the makeup to be a power slot, and if he can develop a la guys like Parker Washington or Jauan Jennings in recent years, it’ll happen this year. This is obviously just a deep-league play, but if you’re diving deep, a late-rounder on Jalen Royals isn’t a bad idea. Truth be told, I like Rice on the football field , and yes I needed that emphasis. I think there’s a very realistic world where he performs similarly to the back half of his rookie year, when he was the WR9 in PPR points per game from Week 12 to the end of the season. But that’s the kicker. The best stretch you can find for Rice is him averaging 86.3 yards per game down the stretch of 2023, putting up WR9 numbers … and yet he’s the WR11 in drafts this year? That’s just a wild overdraft for a guy whose realistic ceiling isn’t much above that. And all of that is even before we discuss the fact that his star quarterback tore his ACL late last year, and while reports on Patrick Mahomes’ recovery are good, you never know until you see him on the field. His backup is Justin Fields , and if you’re counting on Justin Fields to make your wide receiver productive, you might be in for a bad time. And all of that is even before we discuss anything about Rice’s off-the-field situations. As of right now, it definitely doesn’t look like Rice is in line for any further suspension based on his probation violation earlier this summer. But he’s run into enough issues so far in his career that pretty much anything that were to happen between now and the season could have him on the sidelines for who knows how long. Should you avoid drafting Rice altogether because of off-the-field concerns? No, probably not. But it’s just another point of concern on a guy with a lot of them who is still somehow being drafted as if he’s a top-12 fantasy wide receiver, and I just don’t see it. Betting against Patrick Mahomes feels like a fool’s errand, but the situation in Kansas City has th [... truncated ...]
WR · KC
QB · MIN
trade
Trade: Rashee Rice ↔ Kyler Murray
sleeper-tx-trade+2 stories · 30dSource unavailable
Patel Dynasty League trade involving Kyler Murray and Rashee Rice
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