Who Should I Start? Cooper Kupp or Rashee Rice

Saturday, June 29, 1:27 PM

ESPN's Sarah Barshop lists Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp as one of the team's most surprising offseason standouts, which even she admits is odd. Kupp, who was the 2021 receiving triple-crown winner, has played through significant injuries in each of the past two seasons. He finished 2023 with 59 catches for 737 yards and five touchdowns, his fewest receiving yards since 2018, when he played in only eight games. However, Kupp is healthy this offseason, and it showed on the practice field. Head coach Sean McVay said during organized team activities that he doesn't think "anyone really understands the amount of things [Kupp was] working through last season" with his injury and that the receiver has been able to build his body "from the ground up." Fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting the 2021 version of Kupp anymore, especially with Puka Nacua in the fold, but if he's healthy, he can still deliver value as a low-end WR2/high-end WR3 in 2024.

Monday, July 22, 1:54 PM

Kansas City Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt said that there has been no discussion with the NFL regarding a possible suspension for wide receiver Rashee Rice. A potential punishment from the league is still a ways off as of right now. Everyone is expecting the 24-year-old second-year pass-catcher to open the 2024 season with a multi-game suspension following his involvement in a high-speed, multi-car crash back in April in which he was charged with aggravated assault, collision involving serious bodily injury, and collision involving injury. Rice has taken part in all offseason workouts and is present for the start of training camp. It's possible that he may avoid a suspension to open the regular season, but all expectations are that a suspension is eventually coming. With the suspension hanging over his head and after KC added Marquise Brown and rookie Xavier Worthy this offseason, Rice's fantasy stock has fallen and he's currently ranked as RotoBaller's No. 39 fantasy receiver.