The Kansas City Chiefs may be heading into the 2026 NFL Draft with a different mindset than they had prior to Friday.

The league announced their final decision regarding their investigation into wide receiver Rashee Rice’s potential violation of the personal conduct policy, concluding that he will not face any disciplinary action.

There was a high level of concern that Rice could be facing another suspension, which would have likely been lengthier than the six games he served in 2025. That led many to wonder if the Chiefs would use a high draft pick on a wide receiver.

WR Position May Be off the Board for Kansas City Chiefs During Early Rounds of Draft

 

GettyChiefs WR Rashee Rice

As things currently stand, Rice is set to be a full-go for the 2026 season. He is Kansas City’s No. 1 receiver, and possesses Pro Bowl upside. Rice has missed significant action over the past two years due to injuries and his suspension. However, each time he was on pace to record over 1,000 receiving yards over a full 17-game schedule.

Now healthy and cleared from off-field trouble, Rice will have the opportunity to prove that he can produce among the elite receivers of the NFL. He has all the reason in the world to do so, as he is entering the final year of his rookie contract. If Rice can finally put together a complete breakout season, he could earn a lucrative long-term deal.

Behind Rice on the depth chart include Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, and Jalen Royals. The question the Chiefs now have to answer is whether or not they are satisfied enough with that cast to not invest a high draft pick at the receiver position. Worthy was limited by a shoulder injury last season, but was excellent as a rookie in 2024. Thornton was valuable deep threat early on for Kansas City in 2025 and should take a step forward in his second year in the system.

Chiefs Should Still Use High Draft Pick at WR Despite Rice Being Cleared

 

GettyOhio State WR Carnell Tate.

The Chiefs would be unwise to move forward as if everything is all systems go at the receiver position. Although he was cleared of his most recent incident, it was the second off-the-field issue Rice has been involved in during his three-year NFL career. Kansas City simply cannot trust that he will avoid getting into another bad situation.

Worthy and Thornton are nice role players, but aren’t No. 1-caliber receivers. If Rice gets into trouble again and has to miss time, it would be a crucial blow to the Chiefs’ offense. Worthy and Royals are the only receivers who Kansas City has under contract beyond the 2026 season, so there is a big future need at the position.

The Chiefs aren’t likely to commit to Rice long-term, making it almost necessary that they draft a receiver who can eventually lead their receiving corps. They have already had pre-draft visits with several top receiver prospects, such as Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, Kevin Coleman, and Ted Hurst. Adding another explosive pass catcher to the mix helps Kansas City both in the short-term and long-term.