Fantasy investors seemed to believe silence meant safety for Rashee Rice. At the same time, we knew Jordan Addison, whose court case was scheduled for this week, was due to some league-mandated downtime.
We now have clarity on Rice that we weren't expecting, while resolution for Addison came a step closer, too. Let's take a look at both.
Rice's Sudden Resolution Likely Leads To Suspension
Rice, who has enjoyed a lofty WR17 Average Draft Position (APD) with a Round 3 price tag so far this offseason, was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years' probation on Thursday for his role in a multi-car crash last year.
That ADP is a clear enough indication that Fantasy Nation believed Rice's case was over -- or at the very least, any potential punishment was going to be pushed out beyond this season.
That wasn't the case. According to a release from the Dallas County District Attorney's office, Rice pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges -- collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. A Dallas district court judge ruled that Rice can serve the jail time at any point during the five-year probationary period.
Rice received deferred adjudication, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter, meaning the case will be dismissed if he successfully completes probation.
With the legal resolution now public, all eyes shift to the NFL's likely response.
The league can now expedite its disciplinary process for Rice, who is likely to receive a multi-game suspension at some point during the upcoming 2025 season.
"We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter, which remains under review," NFL vice president of communications Brian McCarthy told Schefter.
Chiefs Digest insider Matt Derrick suggested the team may have anticipated this legal resolution in a tweet:
I’ve been told by sources in the organization the Chiefs believe Rashee Rice may get a suspension of 2-4 games. Whether that is optimistic I can’t tell you for sure. https://t.co/OYlZiMuGBM
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) July 17, 2025
A 2-4 game absence might be the best-case scenario at this point. Still, savvy fantasy managers will wait for the final word before investing.
With his suspension looming, it's worth remembering Rice is also recovering from injury.
He suffered a torn lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in Week 4 last season and missed the remainder of the Chiefs' AFC championship campaign. The Chiefs expect the 2023 second-round draft pick to be healthy when training camp begins next week.