As we inch toward the new season, the ever-changing NFL landscape has player fantasy football values constantly on the move. Whether you’re used to the dynasty platform or are still learning the rules, let’s dive into the latest dynasty value of Rashee Rice.
Rashee Rice Dynasty Outlook and Value
The 2023 rookie wide receiver class wasn’t viewed as particularly strong. It certainly won’t hold a candle to the incredible 2022 class. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t quality fantasy assets to come from it.
Rice was never in the running to be one of the top receivers drafted, but there’s certainly nothing wrong with being a Day 2 pick, particularly in the second round.
Rice has two things going for him: draft capital and landing spot. Day 3 wide receivers are largely irrelevant. Even Round 3 wide receivers are more miss than hit. So, going in Round 2 is really good for Rice.
As for the landing spot, you don’t need me to tell you it’s pretty good to play with Patrick Mahomes. It’s even better when a rookie can land with an elite quarterback with a shallow wide receiver depth chart. That’s exactly what we have in Kansas City.
The Chiefs failed to adequately replace Tyreek Hill last season. This offseason, they lost JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman. There’s no one on this roster who Rice can’t pass, at least in theory.
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The primary issue with Rice is the most positive things about him have nothing to do with his actual on-field performance.
At 6’0″, 200 pounds, Rice looks the part of a modern NFL receiver. He has above-average speed and elite burst. His senior season saw him post a dominant 30.6% target share, catching 96 passes for 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns. That’s the good.
The bad is Rice didn’t have that mega-dominant season until his senior year. And he did it at SMU — a non-Power Five conference. So, the competition wasn’t strong, and he was older than everyone.
Rice is already 23 years old. We much prefer our wide receiver prospects to be early declares. Not only is Rice a four-year college player, but he’s already 23. By way of comparison, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jordan Addison, and Quentin Johnston are all 21 years old. Despite playing just one more year in college, Rice is almost two years older than them.
Rashee Rice’s Fantasy Ranking
The best dynasty rookie receivers are the ones with high upside that we can project to start immediately. Rice’s profile does not point to one with a high ceiling. Technically, he could start right away. But Skyy Moore was a better prospect than Rice, and he barely saw the field as a rookie second-rounder last year. It’s hard to envision it being different for Rice.
The good news for Rice is the Chiefs’ depth chart is easily climbable. As things currently stand, the Chiefs’ top two receivers are Kadarius Toney and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. In three-receiver sets, it will either be Justin Watson, Richie James, or Moore.
MORE: 2023 Dynasty Rookie Rankings
Between Toney’s injury history, Valdes-Scantling’s inconsistent play, and none of the other three being legitimate starters, Rice can play his way into a starting role rather quickly. Unfortunately, I just don’t think he has that kind of ability.
Rice checks in at 2.11 in our latest dynasty rookie rankings. He’s the rookie WR9. He landed really well, but his prospect profile just doesn’t point to anything more than a rotational WR3/4 at the NFL level.
There’s always the chance Rice breaks through and becomes a fantasy WR2. So, there is a price at which point he’s worth taking in dynasty startup drafts. He’s just not someone I would make it a point to try and draft.
