Rashee Rice’s 2024 high-speed hit-and-run crash in Dallas has put the NFL and NFLPA in an uncomfortable position. Rice is going to be able to play at least the first few games of the season, as no suspension will be handled until Rice’s disciplinary hearing on September 30. How many games will the Kansas City Chiefs star wide receiver miss in 2025?
Adam Schefter Rebuffs 10-Game Suspension With More Realistic Outlook on Rashee Rice
Adam Schefter was joined by John Hansen on “The Adam Schefter Podcast,” and they discussed the latest on Rice and how many games he may miss due to suspension.
“It’s amazing to me that the Rashee Rice situation has not generated more conversation,” Schefter said. “I think part of it is that the league and the NFLPA is still going over it, and they’re trying to figure out exactly how much discipline is warranted and when it would be handed down. The NFLPA has had a lot of issues this summer, as everyone knows, which I think has probably slowed the process.”
He continued, “My understanding is initially the NFL would have liked to suspend Rice for eight games. Now, that doesn’t mean a whole lot to me. The baseline suspension for a personal conduct policy violation is six games. I’m sure Rice would like it to be three or four games. If the league wants eight and Rice settles at four, the baseline is six.”
It’s important to note that Schefter never brought up a 10-game suspension, which was recently floated by NFL Network. The highest number of games Schefter mentioned was eight, which he doesn’t believe will happen.
Schefter broke down the suspension like a contract negotiation. Rice will be realistic when negotiating, but Schefter seems confident that his camp get his suspension under eight games.
With everything still dependent on September 30, Hansen discussed the impact of drafting Rice in a fantasy football league. Sure, Patrick Mahomes will be able to target the 25-year-old for the first four games, but after that, there’s plenty of uncertainty.
Rice’s Fantasy Outlook
A knee injury robbed us of what could have been a prolific season for Rice in 2024. Rice was the WR3 in fantasy over the season’s first three weeks, averaging 21.6 PPR points per game. During that stretch, he averaged 9.7 targets, 8.0 receptions, and 96.0 receiving yards per game, successfully turning a strong rookie season into a legitimate alpha role.
Looking to 2025, Rice is one of the most complicated players in fantasy football. A recent plea deal from his 2024 accident on a Texas highway means that a multi-week suspension is on the table in 2025.
The Chiefs not only returned Travis Kelce but also had a better idea of utilizing 2024 first-round pick Xavier Worthy after being forced to expand his role as a rookie. Players like Hollywood Brown and rookies Jalen Royals and Brashard Smith will also command targets in 2025.
If Rice didn’t have a suspension looming over him, it would be easy to rank him as a high-end WR2 with weekly top-five upside given his role as the slot receiver for Patrick Mahomes. However, he will have to earn his role once he returns and could be reduced if Worthy continues to make explosive plays down the field.
It is safe to draft Rice like he is a WR2 next season (depending on the duration of his suspension), but be sure to invest early-round picks in wide receivers to navigate the time with him on your bench.
