Fantasy Football Player Notes

Before he was lost to injury in Week 4 of last season, Rice was humming along as the WR15 in fantasy points per game. He was Patrick Mahomes' go-to option with a 31.5% target share, 3.60 yards per route run, a 41.2% first-read share, and 0.188 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Rice should be reinstated into this high-volume role immediately, assuming his health cooperates. We saw Xavier Worthy flourish in Rice's manufactured touch role to close last season, but I don't have any worries about Rice losing the job to Worthy. Rice is a WR2 that could finish as a WR1 this season if things break right.

Xavier Worthy broke out down the stretch in 2024, posting at least four catches and 40+ yards in 10 straight games while scoring 12 total touchdowns (9 receiving, 3 rushing) on the year. From Week 11 on, he averaged over 2.0 yards per route run and 14.6 fantasy points per game - WR8 production over that span. He also ranked 10th in red-zone targets and finished the regular season as the WR21 from Weeks 11-17. With Rashee Rice facing an injury recovery and potential suspension, Worthy is in line to step into a featured role in Kansas City's offense. Locked in as WR17 in projections, Worthy's arrow is pointing way up heading into 2025.

Marquise "Hollywood" Brown had a lost 2024 season due to a shoulder injury but returned in Week 16 and immediately saw strong usage in the Chiefs' offense. From Week 16 on, he posted a 29% target rate - top-10 among WRs - and a 28% air yards share, signaling Kansas City still views him as a key piece. The production didn't follow (14 catches, 141 yards, 0 TDs), but the opportunity was promising. With Rashee Rice recovering from injury and facing a possible suspension, and Travis Kelce approaching age 36, Brown could take on a larger role than expected in 2025.