Kansas City Chiefs WR Depth: Fantasy Football Outlook
The Kansas City Chiefs’ wide receiver room has been decimated by an injury and a suspension to two out of the top 5 wide receiver targets. That refers to Xavier Worthy, who dislocated his shoulder in Friday’s loss against the Los Angeles Chargers, and Rashee Rice, who is serving a six-game suspension for violating league policy.
Now, the Chiefs need to look elsewhere for production in the passing game. Luckily, they have the best quarterback in the league, Patrick Mahomes, leading the charge.
Who Will Pick Up the Slack?
The NFL week 1 game against the Chargers showed fans that wide receiver Hollywood Brown is next up in the passing game. Brown led all Chiefs pass catchers with 10 catches on 16 targets. He turned those 10 catches into 99 receiving yards, including hauling in a 49-yard reception.
Brown missed the entire regular season during his 2024 campaign, his first season with the Kansas City Chiefs. Brown and Mahomes have a connection worth watching going forward. With Rice still out for the next five games and Worthy’s status up in the air going forward, Brown is the clear number one target in the passing game until the above situations clear up.
Other Players to Watch
Juju Smith-Schuster was the next man up in the passing game behind Brown. His 5 receptions and 55 yards helped the Chiefs move the ball down the field in key situations throughout the game. Smith-Schuster has a knack for gaining Mahomes’ attention in the passing game. Unfortunately, the ceiling of Smith-Schuster is low, as he hasn’t had over 300 receiving yards in a season since 2022.
The only other Chiefs’ wide receiver to catch a pass against the Chargers was Tyquan Thornton. Thornton came into the NFL with high expectations, drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. His speed shot him up draft boards after running a 4.28 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. Unfortunately, Thornton did nothing in New England, as he never surpassed 250 receiving yards in a season. I wouldn’t expect Thornton to provide much fantasy football value going forward.
Lastly, I want to look at rookie Jalen Royals out of Utah State. The Chiefs drafted the Royals in the fourth round of April’s NFL Draft. We didn’t see the Royals in week 1 picks, as he missed due to a knee injury. If he can find his way back on the field, there is an opportunity for the field stretcher out of Utah State. He scored 21 touchdowns in his final 20 games, and could provide Mahomes with the big-play threat he is missing with Worthy and Rice sidelined.
Bottom Line: Trust Hollywood Brown & Watch Jalen Royals
The Chiefs’ passing game runs through Mahomes, and right now, Hollywood Brown is the clear WR1 you can trust. Juju Smith-Schuster is a safe floor play in deeper leagues, while Jalen Royals is a stash worth monitoring for big-play upside once healthy. Until Rice returns and Worthy is back on the field, Brown is your best bet for fantasy football relevance in the Chiefs’ passing game.
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FAQs
Q: Who is the Kansas City Chiefs’ top wide receiver right now?
With Rashee Rice suspended and Xavier Worthy injured, Hollywood Brown is currently the WR1 for Patrick Mahomes and the most reliable fantasy football option in Kansas City’s passing game.
Q: Is Juju Smith-Schuster worth starting in fantasy football?
Smith-Schuster is a safe floor player in deeper leagues. While he’s not likely to produce explosive numbers, his role as a chain mover gives him steady opportunities.
Q: What should fantasy managers expect from Jalen Royals?
Rookie Jalen Royals is recovering from a knee injury but offers intriguing upside once healthy. His ability to stretch the field and find the end zone could make him a valuable late-season stash.
Q: Can Tyquan Thornton have a breakout with the Chiefs?
Thornton’s speed is elite, but his NFL production has been minimal so far. He’s unlikely to become a consistent contributor, making him a risky fantasy play.
