Fantasy Football Player Notes

Rashee Rice had another "interesting offseason" where he had a knee scope and spent some time rehabbing from that procedure in a jail cell. Rice hasn't played more than eight games in a season since 2023, so while he has been very productive when he's been on the field over the last two seasons, we still haven't seen him available for a full calendar of football since that season. Last year, when he was on the field, Rice remained a target hog with a 26.2% target share (12th among 109 qualifying receivers), averaging 71.4 receiving yards per game (tenth), producing 2.28 yards per route run (15th), and churning out 0.112 first downs per route run with a 31.9% first-read share (both 14th-best, per Fantasy Points Data). If Rice can stay healthy and out of trouble off the field this season, he should return strong WR2 value with upside.

I had zero interest in drafting Xavier Worthy for fantasy purposes last year, and I don't have any in 2026. Last year, he finished as the WR54 in fantasy points per game with only one week as a top-24 wide receiver in weekly scoring. Last year, after returning from a shoulder injury (Weeks 4-17), he only had a 15.8% target share, 1.40 yards per route run, 40.9 receiving yards per game, a 19.5% first-read share, 0.058 first downs per route run, and 8.5 PPR points per game (per Fantasy Points Data). I'll happily avoid Worthy in drafts again this year. If it burns me, it burns me (I don't think it will).

Tyquan Thornton re-signed with the Chiefs on a two-year deal worth $11 million. This is notable given that only Xavier Worthy and Jalen Royals were the other Chiefs WRs under contract for the 2027 season.
The speedy wide receiver had his most productive season in the NFL last year, catching 19 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns (on nearly 1,000 air yards and 23 deep targets). He stepped up at the start of the year due to Worthy's injury and Rashee Rice's suspension. Over the first 5 weeks of the year, Thornton averaged 10.3 fantasy points per game.
His 2025 yardage and touchdown totals set new career-highs, and he averaged 23.1 yards per reception (first in the NFL). Also had zero recorded drops.

Cyrus Allen might be one of the more interesting deep sleeper receivers from the 2026 class after landing in Kansas City. The former Bearcats wideout has quietly produced everywhere he has played, showcasing strong target-earning ability, separation skills, and positional versatility across multiple stops. With long-term uncertainty surrounding several Chiefs pass-catchers, Allen has a realistic pathway to eventually carving out a meaningful role in the offense. He remains a long-shot Day 3 prospect for redraft leagues, but dynasty managers looking for cheap upside should keep him firmly on the radar.