The Kansas City Chiefs were already looking at drafting a wide receiver in the first round this year before reports surfaced of Rashee Rice’s involvement in a speed-racing crash in Dallas in late March. The Chiefs need to be proactive in the wide receiver market as Rice faces an uncertain future in the league. They could land a disgruntled San Francisco 49ers receiver before the draft.
The NFL is monitoring Rice’s situation with the legal system in Texas. Rice turned himself in to authorities this week after reports emerged that he faces eight charges in connection to the crash incident. Rice is expected to face a suspension from the league, but his playing career could be over after one season.
Rice was the Chiefs’ best target on an otherwise awful receiver corps. The Chiefs led the league in drops last season. The team added Marquise Brown on a one-year deal, but the team needs a long-term solution to pair with Patrick Mahomes.
They could pursue 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The 49ers and Aiyuk aren’t close to negotiating a new deal with their No. 1 receiver. While the 49ers said last month they don’t intend to trade Aiyuk, they could be forced into making a swap before the draft.
The Chiefs have a limited budget, but their situation isn’t as dire as the 49ers. Per Over The Cap, the Chiefs have $19 million in cap space for the 2024 season. They have $40 million in surplus for 2025 and $119 million for 2026. The Chiefs could move some money around and extend Aiyuk, where his cap hit will spread into the future.
Aiyuk would give Mahomes a sure target, as the 49ers’ former first-round pick has had back-to-back seasons with over 1,000 yards receiving. He’d pair well with Brown to give Patrick Mahomes experienced elite wide receiver play for the Chiefs’ threepeat opportunity.
