Xavier Worthy Trade Value; Smith-Schuster, Waiver-Wire WRs After Rashee Rice's Injury

The Kansas City Chiefs offense took a hit on Monday as the severity of wide receiver Rashee Rice's injury was revealed.

Rice, who left last week's game against the Los Angeles Chargers early after a lower leg injury, is unlikely to play again this season, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Rice will undergo surgery on Tuesday, which will provide more about the extent of his recovery time.

Not only does the news of Rice's injury hurt the Chiefs' quest for a third consecutive Super Bowl, but it also impacts fantasy football managers who have relied on Rice so far this season.

Below, you can find some tips on trade value for Chiefs wide receivers Xavier Worthy and Justin Watson along with a list of pickups for fantasy managers looking to replace Rice.

Xavier Worthy, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Justin Watson

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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 15: Xavier Worthy #1 of the Kansas City Chiefs takes the field prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

JuJu Smith-Schuster had just two receptions for 17 yards and a touchdown coming into Monday's matchup, but a big game in the Chiefs' matchup with the New Orleans Saints showed that he might be worth picking up with Rice out.

He had seven receptions for 130 yards in the win, already getting plenty more targets than he did in the first few games of the season. It seems as if he could emerge as Kansas City's No. 1 option with Rice out, so he could be a worthwhile pickup for fantasy managers looking to replace Rice.

Justin Watson has six receptions for 87 yards so far this year, but Monday's game didn't indicate that he'll be a focal point of the offense moving forward as he didn't have any targets. Even though Watson could eventually see his number called more often, he might not have enough production to warrant a roster spot.

In terms of trade value, Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy could have a little more following Rice's injury.

Worthy turned heads at the NFL combine when he broke the record for the fastest 40-yard dash time with a time of 4.21 seconds.

He hasn't exactly been able to show off that speed just yet as he hauled in just 12 passes for 179 yards and a pair of touchdowns, serving as Kansas City's second wide receiver option behind Rashee Rice.

With Rice now sidelined, Worthy should see his production increase. He's shown flashes of potential this season and has also added rushing value, recording 42 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground.

After Rice exited last week's game early, Worthy posted his best game of the season with 73 receiving yards and a touchdown. On Monday, he had just 25 receiving yards but found the end zone on the ground.

If you have enough depth at wide receiver to where you don't need Worthy, consider trading him to strengthen another position.

Jalen Tolbert, Dallas Cowboys

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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 7: Jalen Tolbert #1 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his touchdown in front of DeShon Elliott #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium on October 7, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dallas won the game 20-17. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

For those needing to replace Rashee Rice, consider adding Jalen Tolbert, who is still widely available.

The Dallas Cowboys wide receiver has 247 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns through five games, making the most of his limited targets.

Tolbert is often overlooked since the Cowboys have one of the best wide receivers in the league in CeeDee Lamb, but he's seemingly on his way to a breakout year. He has almost matched his career high in receiving yards and has already matched his career high in touchdowns after just five games.

Opposing teams are likely going to put most of the effort toward defending Lamb, meaning Tolbert should be due for a handful of big games this year.

Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 03: Darnell Mooney #1 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 03, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins and wide receiver Darnell Mooney have seemingly found a connection after five games together.

Mooney went off for 105 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, marking one of the best games of his career.

Don't expect that kind of performance from Mooney every game, but he's on pace for a career year. The fifth-year player has 330 receiving yards and three touchdowns this year, finding life in a new offense after his Chicago Bears exit this offseason.

Mooney could get your fantasy team double-digit points regularly if he and Cousins continue to connect, so he's worth a second look on the waiver wire.

Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 06: Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) catches a pass for a touchdown during the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 6, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Another receiver having a quietly strong season is Indianapolis Colts third-year player Alec Pierce.

Pierce is on pace for a career high in receiving yards with 368 so far and he's already notched a career high in touchdowns with three through five games. He's had a pair of 100-plus-yard games this season, most recently collecting 134 yards and a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

A few big games to start the year have led to Pierce being more heavily rostered than other receivers mentioned, but if he's still available in your league and you need a receiver, he's worth picking up.