Few NFL rookies have emerged out of the gate quite like Kansas City wideout Rashee Rice has this season, with the second rounder making an immediate impact for Andy Reid’s team.
Rice has already hauled in 52 catches for 591 yards in 12 games, with five receiving touchdowns, putting him on pace to finish the year with more than 800 yards and seven touchdowns.
That immediate on-field productivity has allowed Rice to skyrocket up fantasy football leaderboards, gaining the 23-year-old fans from across the country. It’s also helped the Chiefs continue to dominate Kansas sports betting.
As we move into the playoffs period for most fantasy leagues, BetKansas.com utilized FantasyData.com to compile the fantasy rankings of receivers after Week 13 in a standard points per reception (PPR) league and then found the average draft position fantasy rankings for a standard PPR league prior to the season. Receivers were only included if they were in the Top 70 in original ADP rankings.
Top Fantasy WRs of 2023
The Chiefs Super Bowl odds are +500, second in the NFL behind San Francisco.
Where Rice Ranks Among Fantasy Climbers
Rice went from a relative unknown to a must-have in fantasy football circles this fall, with the first-year wideout going from the 65th-ranked WR preseason to the No. 33 spot this week. That +32 climb puts Rice third among all wideouts this year, behind Nico Collins of Houston (+44 spots) and Adam Thielen of Carolina (+37 spots).
When broken down by fantasy points per game, Rice’s 11.7 rank fifth among the group. Rice does happen to play on the best team of the group. The Chiefs are 9-3, while the Texans and Colts sit at 7-5, the Raiders are 5-7 and the Panthers are 1-11.
This week, Rice and the Chiefs will look to earn their 10th win of the season against 6-6 Buffalo at Arrowhead Stadium. ESPN BET Kansas has the Chiefs as a 2.5-point favorite.
