Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ja'Marr Chase vs Rashee RiceWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ja'Marr Chase is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.7 PPG to Rashee Rice's 15.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ja'Marr Chase is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Ja'Marr Chase and Rashee Rice are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.2-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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WRCincinnati Bengals#3PPG LEADER

Ja'Marr Chase

PPG

15.7

Games

Rec

125

Rec Yds

1,412

Rec TDs

Targets

185

Bye

Week 6

WRKansas City Chiefs#5

Rashee Rice

PPG

15.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

571

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Ja'Marr Chase

Rashee Rice

Head to Head

15.7 PPG15.5 PPG

16 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Ja'Marr Chase: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #3 at the position). Rashee Rice: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #5 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Ja'Marr Chase is producing at 71% of elite pace and Rashee Rice at 70%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Ja'Marr Chase vs Rashee Rice: The Full Breakdown

Ja'Marr Chase (15.7 PPG) and Rashee Rice (15.5 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two wide receivers are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Ja'Marr Chase played 16 games for the Cincinnati Bengals; Rashee Rice suited up 8 times for the Kansas City Chiefs.

A 0.2-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Target volume is the story here. Ja'Marr Chase saw 185 targets in 2025, while Rashee Rice drew 78. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Ja'Marr Chase, even in weeks where Rashee Rice posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Ja'Marr Chase sits Week 6 while Rashee Rice is off Week 5. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Ja'Marr Chase (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Rashee Rice (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Ja'Marr Chase outscored Rashee Rice by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ja'Marr Chase played 16 games in 2025 compared to Rashee Rice's 8. That durability gap means Ja'Marr Chase contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Ja'Marr Chase scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Ja'Marr Chase saw 185 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Ja'Marr Chase vs Rashee Rice: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ja'Marr Chase	Rashee Rice
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.7	15.5
Games Played	16	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	251	124
Receptions	125	53
Rec/Game	7.8	6.6
Receiving Yards	1,412	571
Rec Yds/Game	88.3	71.4
Receiving TDs	8	5
Targets	185	78
Target Share/Game	11.6	9.8
Age	26	26
Experience	4 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 5

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Ja'Marr Chase at 15.7 PPG, 0.2 points per game above Rashee Rice's 15.5. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Ja'Marr Chase or Rashee Rice in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ja'Marr Chase has the edge at 15.7 PPG compared to Rashee Rice's 15.5 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Ja'Marr Chase and Rashee Rice average in 2025?▾

Ja'Marr Chase averaged 15.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Rashee Rice averaged 15.5 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

When are Ja'Marr Chase and Rashee Rice's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ja'Marr Chase (CIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Rashee Rice (KC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ja'Marr Chase or Rashee Rice a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Ja'Marr Chase outscored Rashee Rice by 0.2 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.