Justin Jefferson
vs Rashee Rice

“Justin Jefferson (WR – MIN) | ADP: 11.8 (WR6) While he has been a fantasy superstar since entering the NFL, Justin Jefferson is coming off a massively disappointing season.”

“Justin Jefferson (WR – MIN) Finishes Outside the Top 20 Wide Receivers The prediction: Jefferson, currently going as a top-six receiver, finishes this season outside the top 20 at his position. This is partly a skepticism play on his new starting quarterback’s fit in this specific offense, particularly real questions about accessing the middle of the field effectively. Even last year, on a per-route basis, Jefferson already graded as only a fringe top-15 to top-17 receiver in efficiency metrics, not a true elite option, once poor quarterback play is set aside.”

“Jefferson has been a fantasy superstar since he entered the NFL. Unfortunately, the veteran is coming off a massively disappointing season, finishing last year as the WR21, averaging 11.9 PPR fantasy points per game despite finishing seventh in the league with 141 targets.”

“With a better quarterback, Justin Jefferson is a top-five pick, but with J.J. McCarthy ‘s past poor play and the uncertainty of Kyler Murray , we get a discount on one of the best wide receivers in the league.”

“Last year, Jefferson was still sixth in target share (28.5%) and seventh in first-read share (35.1%), so we should all expect the Minnesota passing attack to run through their alpha wide receiver again in 2026.”

“Last year, Justin Jefferson had a horrible runout as the WR28 in fantasy points per game (WR14 in expected fantasy points per game). Obviously, a ton of his season was impacted by the level of quarterback play, but Jefferson also slid to 36th in separation score and 38th in route win rate (among 109 qualifying receivers, per Fantasy Points Data).”

“Justin Jefferson is the fifth-best wide receiver in the Madden universe, apparently”

“This wasn’t Jefferson’s fault, however. Among wide receivers with 50+ targets, Jefferson ranked 58th in catchable target rate (71%). J.J. McCarthy stunk, and all indications are that Kyler Murray is the clear favorite to be the starter in 2026, and possibly beyond.”

“Jefferson should immediately become Murray’s go-to receiver, making an overall WR1 finish well within reach.”

“Watching him live, Rice looks slow and stiff as he gets through his routes. Rice grabbed seven of his nine targets, but he should’ve had the other two as well. One of them was a drop that turned into a Miami interception.”

“Rashee Rice was never as talented as his fantasy production would indicate. He racked up points over the last few years thanks to the Chiefs’ half-functional offense. Now that Kansas City has a real running game, Rice’s PPR scam days seem over.”

“Rashee Rice ‘s expected fantasy points is a woeful 5.6 per game.”

“Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy . Rice has since turned heads for the wrong reasons in training camp, looking slow. Meanwhile, Worthy sprained his shoulder in early August and returned to practice one week later .”

“Rashee Rice (WR – KC) Unfortunately, Rice has been in the news for all the wrong reasons this offseason. He served a 30-day sentence for violating his probation.”

“Second, he hasn’t been on the field enough over the last two seasons to justify his current average draft position (ADP), which hasn’t accounted for several factors. Currently ranked as the WR13 in expert consensus rankings (ECR), Rice is being treated as a low-end WR1.”

“3.02: Rashee Rice (WR – KC) Probably the most uncomfortable pick you can make this year is Rashee Rice because you have no idea what you are going to get with him. But Rice’s upside is through the roof.”

“Rice has commanded targets every time the Chiefs have given him a full-time role. Season Period Target Share 2023 Final 10 games with full-time snaps, including playoffs 24% 2024 Three complete games 31.5% 2025 Eight games 26.5%”

“In eight games last season, Rice recorded: 78 targets 53 receptions 571 receiving yards Five receiving TDs 20 rushing yards One rushing TD That comes out to 9.8 targets and 15.5 half-PPR points per game.”