Rashee Rice vs. Marquise Brown – Who should I draft in 2024 Fantasy Football?

Rashee Rice was instrumental in the success of the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2023 NFL season. Despite being a rookie who started only eight regular season games, he finished with 79 receptions, 938 yards and seven touchdowns . Numbers like that have the Chiefs and their fans expecting more from the former Southern Methodist University standout.

But despite Kansas City’s success last year, the nation felt the need to strengthen the wide receiver unit. That’s why it landed former Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals wideout Marquise Brown. Heading into his sixth NFL season, Brown is looking to bounce back after finishing with a career-low 574 yards in 14 games.

Two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Patrick Mahomes can get the most out of Rice and Brown as they become more prominent in the Chiefs offense. Which of the two wideouts is the better fantasy football option for 2024?

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It’s easy to forget that Brown was a first-team All-American during his senior year at Oklahoma. While catching passes from Kyler Murray, Brown had 75 receptions, 1,318 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in his second and final season with the Sooners.

Those numbers got him selected in the first round in 2019. Still, he didn’t quite live up to the hype. He barely reached 1,000 yards in one of his first five NFL seasons (1,008 in 2021), and his receptions have dropped from 91 in 2021 to 67 and 51 in subsequent seasons.

Marquise Brown finishes as a Top 10 WR.

The last time we saw Hollywood play fully healthy with a starting NFL QB who was also fully healthy…

He was a Top 5 WR.

Projects to be WR1 on KC for Mahomes.

Minimal target competition.

Must draft!pic.twitter.com/sOH4n5d5ag https://t.co/8NocpMG8vk

— Joe Orrico (@NoExpertFF) June 7, 2024

Despite the downward trend in his career, fantasy football experts are optimistic about Brown’s prospects this season. RotoBaller’s Fantasy Football Rankings list him as the 35^e-best wideout in PPR formats before the 2024 season, higher than DeAndre Hopkins (37^e), Chris Godwin (38^e), and Courtland Sutton (41^st).

Playing with the NFL’s best quarterback should see an increase in his numbers. Therefore, as a 73rd-ranked player in fantasy, he has the potential to provide tremendous value despite being selected in the mid-round.

Rice was the most consistent among the Chiefs wide receivers last season. He finished second behind tight end Travis Kelce in receiving yards and had 478 more yards than third-place Justin Watson. Therefore, a lot will be expected of him as he enters Year 2.

However, whether he will be Kansas City’s WR1 will depend on his performance during training camp and the outcome of his legal battle. Likewise, Brown can give him a run for his money as the Chiefs’ primary wideout.

Rashee Rice looks like Jerry herepic.twitter.com/PBsnT0CDW1

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 31, 2023

Even without the off-field concerns, it’s not easy to trust Rice as a WR1 in fantasy football because Kelce will always get his touches. Mahomes also needs to feed Isiah Pacheco, who may have his first 1,000-yard rushing season.

But Rice will get his catches, given Mahomes’ excellent command of the line of scrimmage. If the three-time Super Bowl quarterback can put defenders in uncomfortable situations, there’s a good chance he’ll find Rice wide open downfield.

Who should you draft between Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown in Fantasy Football?

Rice is not far behind Brown, 40^e-ranked wide receiver for fantasy football in 2024, according to RotoBaller’s preseason Fantasy Football Rankings. But while both players are valuable WR2s for your fantasy team, prioritizing Rice over Brown is a wise decision.

Brown could struggle to perform within Andy Reid’s system even if he had the entire offseason to learn the plays. Conversely, Rice has a year of experience, making the offense second nature to him.

Likewise, NFL Fantasy projects slightly better numbers for Rice (77 receptions, 839 yards, six touchdowns) than Xavier Worthy (61 receptions, 818 yards, six touchdowns) and Brown (56 receptions, 777 yards, six touchdowns). While the difference seems small, it could set the tone between winning and losing, especially in PPR and half-PPR formats.

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