Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers security Logan Ryan (33) tackles Kansas Metropolis Chiefs vast receiver Rashee Rice (4) throughout the second quarter of Tremendous Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports activities Andy Reid refused to declare vast receiver Rashee Rice out for the rest of the season when he met with the media on Monday afternoon.
Rice was carted off the sphere after a ugly harm with Patrick Mahomes within the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ 17-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Reid defined that his speedy, gifted vast receiver nonetheless has to endure extra testing, however reviews point out that the Chiefs concern that he tore his ACL in that collision.
The Chiefs are already with out Marquise Hollywood Brown (shoulder) till a minimum of January. Consider Travis Kelce’s incapacity to search out the tip zone, and the Chiefs are left with JuJu Smith-Scheuster, Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman and Skyy Moore. Within the run sport, they’re down Isiah Pacheco (fibula) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (private).
In some way, Kansas Metropolis is 4-0. Regardless of this file, their offense doesn’t appear as much as their typical, explosive commonplace. Sooner or later, they may want to choose up the cellphone and name some reinforcements to assist Mahomes run the offense.
Listed below are a number of commerce candidates for the Chiefs to focus on, particularly if Rice’s knee harm is important sufficient to switch him.
Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns
Dec 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns vast receiver Amari Cooper (2) catches a landing go with Houston Texans security Jalen Pitre (5) chasing within the second quarter at NRG Stadium. credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports activities Why not swing for the fences? You could possibly make the argument that Cooper would immediately grow to be probably the most certified vast receiver to ever crew up with Mahomes.
For no matter purpose, issues haven’t clicked with Cooper and quarterback Deshaun Watson in Cleveland. He’s 30 years outdated and enjoying on the final 12 months of his contract.
The Browns aren’t doubtless purchasing one in every of their solely offensive weapons at this level, however there’s a value for the whole lot. Proper?
Darius Slayton, New York Giants
Darius Slayton. Picture through IMAGN. Slayton’s upside has at all times been an untapped thriller throughout his time with the Giants. Maybe Mahomes might unlock that potential.
Regardless of enjoying in 81 % of snaps for the Giants this season, New York’s offense nonetheless runs by rookie Malik Nabers. There’s no hiding that he’s the way forward for that room.
Nonetheless simply 27 years outdated, Slayton might play himself right into a longer-term position in Kansas Metropolis. He can even be a free agent on the finish of this season, so it’s not just like the Chiefs are marrying him, and it wouldn’t value very a lot to pry him away from the Massive Apple.
Odell Beckham Jr., Miami Dolphins
Jun 5, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins vast receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) and head coach Mike McDaniel look on throughout necessary minicamp at Baptist Well being Coaching Complicated. Necessary Credit score: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports activities Let’s get loopy for a second. Beckham has but to take a snap for the Miami Dolphins. In line with reviews, he’s on the brink of start practising quickly.
Miami’s future is extensively unknown because of the well being of Tua Tagovailoa. If we’re being sincere, it’s exhausting to see a world the place they may ever contend within the AFC this season, particularly biking by QBs Skylar Thompson and Tyler “Snoop” Huntley whereas they await Tagovailoa’s return to soccer.
Beckham signed a one-year cope with the Fins this offseason to compete for an additional Tremendous Bowl. That is in all probability not occurring this 12 months in Miami. However, equally to Cooper’s state of affairs in Cleveland, they’re doubtless not purchasing him.
However coming off of one other harm? The value on Beckham wouldn’t be too excessive. He caught 35 passes for 565 yards and three touchdowns for the Ravens final season. That type of productiveness is strictly what the Chiefs might be lacking in Rice.