Who Should I Start? Cooper Kupp or Rashee Rice

Friday, October 3, 7:56 PM

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp has entered the bench stash phase of his career. He is not a viable option in Week 5 when the Seahawks host the Buccaneers. The Buccaneers have an untested passing defense, but Kupp has been too inconsistent to this point in the season. Kupp has only surpassed 6.6 fantasy points one time this season. Additionally, the Seahawks' passing volume is low. Quarterback Sam Darnold is averaging 25 passing attempts per game, and 8.5 of those passes are going to wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Some of that has been due to game script. The offense has been relatively efficient, and the defense has been elite, resulting in a lower passing volume. If the Buccaneers' offense challenges Seattle in Week 5, the passing volume could increase. However, Kupp is too risky a player to deploy right now. He still has talent, but as of now, he is a better wide receiver for the Seahawks than he is for fantasy.

Saturday, October 4, 11:49 AM

The Kansas City Chiefs consider wide receiver Rashee Rice their clear No. 1 option and have not entertained trade offers for other players at the position. A team source told Dianna Russini, "He's better than any trade we could make. People don't realize how good he is." Rice, currently serving a six-game suspension for charges related to a hit-and-run, was on a phenomenal pace in 2024 before the setback. He hauled in 24 of 29 targets for 288 yards and two touchdowns in just three games. Scheduled to return in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Rice is expected to reclaim his WR1 role in Kansas City immediately. With the fantasy wide receiver market looking uncertain, Rice has the potential to step right back into the WR1 fold in most formats this season.