Rashee Rice fantasy outlook: Should you draft controversial Chiefs WR in 2024?

Rashee Rice turned in a solid fantasy football season during his rookie campaign with the Kansas City Chiefs. He will look to build off that ahead of his second year, but will have some obstacles to overcome if he's going to do so. Here's where his fantasy outlook currently stands with the 2024 NFL season quickly approaching.

Should you draft Chiefs WR Rashee Rice in 2024?

Rashee Rice finished as the overall WR27 in fantasy football last year, but will be facing more target competition this season. The Kansas City Chiefs added veteran wide receiver Hollywood Brown and also drafted Xavier Worth in the first round.

While Rice could be their WR1 again this year, his 102 targets may take a bit of a hit.

The other major risk to Rice's fantasy outlook is that he could be facing a suspension for his controversial offseason. The NFL is yet to make a decision on potential disciplinary action, so managers who draft him are in danger of possibly losing him at some point.

He clearly carries upside in one of the best passing offenses in the NFL, but is also riskier than most other options in fantasy drafts.

Rashee Rice 2024 fantasy outlook, ADP and 2023 stats

Rashee Rice led all Chiefs wide receivers in most statistical categories last season after earning the WR1 slot in Patrick Mahomes' passing offense. This resulted in 79 receptions on 102 targets for 938 yards and seven touchdowns on his way to an overall WR27 finish.

He is ranked as the WR36 and 80th overall player for the 2024 fantasy football season, according to his current ADP. He outperformed that ranking last season, but with the possibility of a potential suspension, he has fallen a bit lower in drafts. This makes him a risky player to pick, but he could pay off in a major way.

Is Rashee Rice a good pick in fantasy football this year?

Not many players at his current ADP have more upside than Rice does ahead of the 2024 fantasy football season. He finished just outside of the WR2 range last season, but is being drafted as the back-end WR3 this year.

His potential suspension gives him a dangerously low floor, but he already demonstrated his upside last season and continues to grow as just a second-year player.

Managers who draft Rice would be wise to have a backup plan for him in case he does face a suspension, but as long as it isn't for the full season, he brings plenty of fantasy value.

He makes for a strong pick at his current ADP as a third or fourth wide receiver on most fantasy rosters, especially those with solid depth at the position.

Where should you draft Rashee Rice this year?

According to Sportskeeda's Who Should I Draft tool, Rashee Rice makes for a better pick in 2024 fantasy football drafts than his teammate Xavier Worthy.

They currently rank just one spot away from each other, based on their ADP, but Rice has the superior projections. Despite Worthy's massive upside, his rookie status also lowers his floor significantly.

Rice is also the preferred choice over other risky options with high ceilings such as Christian Watson and Tank Dell. Both of them are coming off injury-plagued seasons last year, while Rice was able to stay healthy. If he can avoid a lengthy suspension, the Chiefs receiver could be a steal at his modest ADP.