Who is the Fantasy Football WR1 for the Chiefs? Rashee Rice vs. Xavier Worthy (2025)

May 24, 2025

Should you draft Rashee Rice or Xavier Worthy in 2025 fantasy football drafts? Dave Ventresca's fantasy football outlooks for the Chiefs top wide receivers in 2025.

The Kansas City Chiefs' wide receiver room is drawing much scrutiny as we approach the 2025 fantasy football season. It's understandable, as Kansas City receivers are usually in high demand during fantasy football drafts. Having Patrick Mahomes as your starting quarterback will do that.

Kansas City has several players who could emerge as its WR1. Two players in contention are Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy.

Both players are uniquely talented and either one could become the team's top option. Today, let’s explore who’s more likely to emerge as Kansas City's WR1.

Rashee Rice 2025 Fantasy Football Outlook

Rice looked like he was on pace for a career year in 2024. He posted a 24-288-2 line on 29 targets through the season's first three games. His advanced metrics were also very impressive. Per the Fantasy Points Data suite, Rice posted an elite 35% targets per route run (TPRR) and a remarkable 3.47 yards per route run (YPRR).

Just a beautiful throw by Patrick Mahomes to Rashee Rice for the touchdown 🤩

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/yrQ6dlsUYQ

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 15, 2024

Unfortunately, Rice tore his LCL in Week 4 and would miss the rest of the season. It was a tough blow, as Rice looked like a surefire league winner. But so is life in the wilds of fantasy football.

Rice reportedly enters the 2025 season healthy, which is good news for his outlook. He should resume his role in Kansas City's offense and be one of its top contributors. However, a potential suspension from the NFL is looming over Rice regarding an ongoing legal case from the 2024 offseason. Any suspension would negatively impact his 2025 outlook.

Update - Rice is expected to have his hearing with the NFL on September 30. As a result, Rice will now likely be able to play in the first four games of the season before any potential suspension is given. He now has a clearer path to opening the season as the team's clear WR1.

Xavier Worthy 2025 Fantasy Football Outlook

Worthy was slow out of the gates as a rookie but showed signs of life by the end of the year. From Weeks 11-17, Worthy caught 39 passes for 392 yards and three touchdowns.

PATRICK MAHOMES 🚀 XAVIER WORTHY

54 YARD TOUCHDOWN
pic.twitter.com/pb0IZWS11I

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) September 29, 2024

Despite that stretch, Worthy did not post robust numbers over the season. He only finished with a 59-638-6 line as a rookie. Worthy's advanced metrics also won't blow you away. He only checked in with a 1.33 YPPR and only posted a 16% target share.

Unfortunately, Worthy's game has some limitations. He still struggles to handle press coverage, which forces Kansas City to really scheme up targets for him.

While we should expect some improvements across the board in Year 2, it might be a stretch for him to become the team's top pass-catcher.

Which Chiefs Receiver Should I Draft in Fantasy Football?

As of now, Rice has yet to be suspended by the league for his off-the-field issues. We must assume this is coming at some point, since he accepted a plea deal.

Worthy came on strong down the stretch last year. However, he still has several flaws that the Chiefs need to scheme around, and it will limit his fantasy ceiling. Rice is not the perfect receiver, but he has delivered strong fantasy results for two years. This makes him the preferred target in drafts, but that could change if he's suspended for any portion of the 2025 season.

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