Suspended WR Rashee Rice Takes a Hit in Fantasy Football Rankings

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will miss the first six games of the 2025, a move that was expected after his July 17 plea agreement set the stage for the NFL to finalize a punishment for the 2025 season.

The plea news broke during the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association's National Conference draft, which I covered at the time, and the estimation then was Rice would miss somewhere between two and six contests. After the league docked Minnesota Vikings WR Jordan Addison three games for his role in a DUI incident, it became apparent Rice would be in for the longer end of that projected absence range.

How Much Has Rice Fallen in Recent Fantasy Drafts?

According to FantasyPros, Rice's average draft position (ADP) dipped to WR26 in point-per-reception (PPR) scoring, which has fallen two more spots in the first few hours since the six-game ban was announced. There won't be a long enough sample size to see how far he is capable of falling given most drafts will be done by this weekend, but it shouldn't surprise anyone if Rice's ADP tumble takes him into a WR50s placement.

Kansas City Chiefs Schedule After Rice Returns

• Week 7: Las Vegas Raiders
• Week 8: Washington Commanders
• Week 9: Buffalo Bills
• Week 10: Bye
• Week 11: Denver Broncos
• Week 12: Indianapolis Colts
• Week 13: Dallas Cowboys
• Week 14: Houston Texans
• Week 15: Los Angeles Chargers
• Week 16: Tennessee Titans
• Week 17: Denver Broncos
• Week 18: Las Vegas Raiders

What is Rashee Rice's Fantasy Value?

Missing six games presumes he'll be available for 11, which is really 10 in most fantasy leagues, and that requires Rice to hit the ground running for gamers to get the maximum out of the third-year receiver. Two of those meetings are against Denver's daunting secondary, and it's a tough sell to say any of those defenses on the schedule haven't improved from last year.

Nevertheless, Rice has elite quarterback Patrick Mahomes throwing his way in a prolific design, and that cannot be overlooked. Fantasy owners looking to draft Rice should target him starting about Round 10 and expect he'll effectively "miss" two weeks while getting into game shape. The Chiefs have plenty of weapons to work with otherwise, and there won't be an urgency to thrust him into heavy action before he's ready.

Bank on a lesser role than usual prior to the bye week, but Rice could offer a nice late-season boost and is more valuable in PPR scoring than standard formats.