Fantasy Dreams and Nightmares: The Rashee Rice Payoff

Week 7 may have been the worst week of quarterback play we've seen in this young season. That's what makes what the Chiefs did with Rashee Rice back in the mix all the more concerning for the rest of the league.

He'll have his own entry this week. How could he not? Before that, let's run through some quick-hitters.

Welcome back to Dreams and Nightmares, ladies and gentlemen. I'm glad you decided to read through some of fantasy's peaks and valleys for another week. Reliving this stuff isn't always easy. Only the strongest among us will make it through.

Imagine how strong you have to be to write it? What a warrior that particular writer must be.

As is tradition, this weekly analysis aims to take you through some of the past week's biggest triumphs and heartbreaks. There are some numbers to help make it all make sense. There may even be a quip or two. I have to laugh through the pain. It's my coping mechanism. Maybe I need therapy.

I digress. This isn't the time for self-discovery. That comes in the offseason when I get to talk about how much I miss this game for eight months. When I'm far enough removed from asking myself why I play.

There's a little quarterback talk this week. It was tough to narrow down the nightmares. Justin Fields, Tua Tagovailoa, and Trevor Lawrence were all contenders to be featured. Those felt a little too obvious, though. They were brutal.

I'll also look at a couple of rookie running backs. I even got a little sentimental in The Last Word. There's something for everyone this week.

As the great poets Trick Daddy, Twista, and Lil' Jon once said, let's go.

Fantasy Dream: Rashee Rice is a Difference-Maker

Those managers who got to slot Rice into their flex this week must've felt like they were playing 4D chess, while the rest of their league played checkers.

Six weeks feels like six years on draft day. It might've only felt like six days after the Week 7 payoff. Time is truly relative.

Rice tied with Xavier Leggette for WR8 in his return with 19.7 Half-PPR fantasy points. He caught two touchdowns despite only running 16 routes. They didn't need him much in a game that felt over on Friday. His four red zone targets were tied for the most for a receiver in Week 7.

By most metrics, it appeared to be a ramp-up week for Rice. That's a potentially troubling development for anyone who doesn't roster him. Things may have been different if this game were competitive. While the Chiefs were still playing, though, Rice logged nine quick targets, the second-most of any receiver in Week 7.

It's important to recognize this is one game. Against the Raiders, no less. Still, getting Rice involved seemed to be a point of emphasis for the seventh-best passing offense in terms of EPA/pass. Go figure, huh? Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Travis Kelce, as a trio, have only shared the field with Patrick Mahomes II for three complete games. With the contrasting skillsets, the possibilities for Andy Reid and Matt Nagy are diverse.

If Week 7 is any indication, though, Rice will have a significant role to play after a tumultuous calendar year. The wait is over.

Fantasy Nightmare: The TreVeyon Henderson Offseason Hype

There's a chance we're entering sunk-cost fallacy territory with Henderson. For those unfamiliar with the concept, the sunk-cost fallacy boils down to being hesitant to move off of an asset that isn't returning profit, even if the asset in question is actively hemorrhaging value.

Sounds like the Patriots' second-round pick, whose summer average draft position was climbing faster than Curt Cignetti and Indiana football.

Henderson was being drafted as the RB18, according to Footballguys ADP data. He's currently the RB50 in Half-PPR points per game with 5.6. That's behind Miles Sanders and Bam Knight (5.7).

I've seen many speculate on the root of the puzzling usage for the highly touted rookie. Is it a pass protection issue? Has he not yet earned the trust of New England's offensive decision makers? Does this really have anything to do with the talent, or is this a classic case of a team making the rookie earn it?

We admittedly have a small sample of data to work with. Henderson's only played in seven games. There will be no definitive statements made here. I'm also a rookie around these parts, but I know enough to know enough. Summing up a career, or even a season, with such limited data isn't a sound approach.

That doesn't mean I won't share what I found with you.

Henderson's 2025 Metrics With Ranks Among Running Backs

At the risk of adding insult to injury, here's more context for the rushing yards over expected per attempt figure; Henderson's 4.9 expected yards per carry is the ninth-highest figure among all running backs.

This might not just be a fundamental issue with Henderson. It could go a little deeper than needing to see growth as a pass blocker. There's a possibility Henderson needs more time to acclimate to professional football.

You mean, the leap from college to the NFL is actually somewhat significant? How is that possible?

Don't be surprised if Henderson ends up being cut loose in your league during this week's waiver cycle.

Fantasy Dream: Jalen Hurts is Unleashed