The Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver group finally got some life last night, though things still are not really shaping up for the team overall. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the New York Giants in the Sunday Night Game 22-9, but still room for improvement with the WR crew.
Tyquan Thornton provided a spark with 5 catches for 71 yards and a touchdown, showing speed and confidence in his routes. His performance was the one bright spot, but the overall production from the wideouts remains inconsistent, which is frustrating for both fantasy managers and Chiefs fans. JuJu Smith-Schuster added 4 catches for 55 yards in this offense. With Xavier Worthy out and Jalen Royals also sidelined by injury, the team’s depth is being tested in a big way.
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The player everyone is waiting for is Rashee Rice, who has been sidelined after a six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Last season, he emerged as a breakout player in the 4 games that he played with reliable hands and strong chemistry with Patrick Mahomes before injuries derailed his momentum.
When he returns later this year, Rice will immediately be the number one option in this receiving corps. He is the type of player who can command targets, create separation in key spots on the field, and deliver in the red zone. Fantasy managers should view Rice as a must-start the moment he suits up, and he is the only receiver in Kansas City with clear upside every week.
Outside of Rice and Thornton, the rest of the receivers fall into the category of deep league pickups at best. Smith-Schuster and Brown saw volume last night, but neither player has shown the kind of explosiveness fantasy owners need in standard-sized leagues. They should be treated as depth pieces or bye week fill-ins rather than starters.
Thornton has at least displayed enough potential to keep him on the radar as a bench stash or speculative play, especially with Kansas City desperate for playmakers. At the same time, Worthy and Royals remain on the shelf.
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Even at tight end, the situation is less certain than in years past. Travis Kelce is still on the field and still capable of making big plays, but he no longer looks like the dominant force that carried fantasy teams for the past decade. Defenses are focusing on him more, and he does not have quite the same burst in creating separation. He might still have some spike weeks left in him, but he no longer provides that automatic advantage he once did.
For now, fantasy managers should hold Thornton as a possible flex in deeper leagues, stash Rice aggressively, and treat the others as expendable depth. The Chiefs passing game will find its way, but until Rice returns, there is no surefire option outside of Mahomes himself.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Kansas City Chiefs WR Chaos: Waiting on Rashee Rice to be the savior?