Rashee Rice has been suspended for the first six games of the regular season. Losing Rice for six games is a lot, but considering reports of a possible 10-game suspension, it's almost a best-case scenario. 

But even so, the Chiefs' Week 10 bye means, until Week 11, you'll only get three games from Rice! Brutal! 

Nobody wants to start the fantasy football season feeling desperate after a 2-4 start. 

Even though it's not an unexpected outcome, Rice's average draft position will plummet. Bargain hunters should consider your strike price on Rice. Below, you'll see my recommended target range.

Fantasy Football Outlook For Rashee Rice and Chiefs

Hollywood Brown is the most likely candidate to see a major bump in utilization. Always dinged up, Brown is currently dealing with a high-ankle sprain suffered in late July.  The Chiefs haven't provided a meaningful update on his availability for Week 1, but unless he's had an unreported setback, six weeks is enough time to recover from the injury.

You may recall, last year, after missing the first 15 games, Brown was immediately peppered with targets upon his return. In his five 2024 games, including the postseason, he saw almost six targets per game. 

Brown is currently sitting at an ADP of 171, which is suddenly a bargain for a player who could lead the Chiefs in targets in any of the Rice-less games.

Another possible beneficiary is rookie slot receiver Jalen Royals. Royals has looked promising in training camp and preseason action. He's dealing with knee tendonitis, and his availability for the start of the season is hazy. Boring as it sounds, JuJu Smith-Schuster will see extra reps from the slot.

Most fantasy experts had already baked Rice's potential loss into Patrick Mahomes' rankings. So for me, he retains a position as QB8.

Redraft Leagues – Rashee Rice's New Target: Round 10

I've moved Rice to WR51 in my 2025 fantasy football rankings, in the same range as some unproven, young players (Keon Coleman, Cedric Tillman, Jayden Higgins) and some boring vets (Christian Kirk, Michael Pittman). 

Only draft Rice if you feel confident the rest of your roster is strong enough to enter Week 7 with a 3-3 record or better. If you start poorly, you could try to trade Rice, but in my experience, you'll get pennies on the dollar until very close to Week 7.

Guillotine Leagues™ – Rashee Rice's New Target: Don't Do It!

In a Guillotine League™, Rice's six lost games turn him radioactive. When you can be chopped from the league after each week, you can't carry a zero-point player for six weeks, and then deal with his bye three weeks later.

Remember, in a Guillotine League™, the draft is only the first time you can get a player. Scoring zero points each week, Rice is likely to get chopped several times before his suspension ends, at which point you can bid for him, if you want him.

Startup Dynasty and Empire Leagues – Rashee Rice's New Target: Round 5

Obviously, in dynasty and empire leagues, losing six games doesn't mean nearly as much, particularly for a young player like Rice, just 25 years old. In those formats, you're drafting him for possible usage through 2030 and beyond.

Rice should slide a few rounds from his current dynasty ADP of Round 3. If you're trying to win your dynasty/empire league this year, Rice is a less viable target for you. If you're playing the long game, Rice's ADP slide could give you a fantastic opportunity to buy low on a very talented player.

For more on the fantasy football fallout of Rashee Rice's six-game suspension, Kendall Valenzuela weighed in below:

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