Ladd McConkey vs Rashee Rice: Who Should You Start?
There is a real production gap between these two wide receivers. Rashee Rice (Kansas City Chiefs) averaged 15.5 PPG over 8 games in 2025, outscoring Ladd McConkey (Los Angeles Chargers, 9.2 PPG) by 6.3 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.
The per-game difference of 6.3 points favors Rashee Rice, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one wide receiver to the other.
Target volume is the story here. Ladd McConkey saw 106 targets in 2025, while Rashee Rice drew 78. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Ladd McConkey, even in weeks where Rashee Rice posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.
One scheduling note: Ladd McConkey is off Week 5 and Rashee Rice Week 6. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.
