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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice.

The Kansas City Chiefs have several positional needs heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, and wide receiver is a sneaky one, considering star pass-catcher Rashee Rice is at the center of another ongoing off-the-field situation.

During his latest official mock prediction on April 2, veteran NFL insider Tony Pauline has the Chiefs addressing the wide receiver position with the second of their two first-round picks. And the target could pair well with Rice, who is a physical yards-after-catch threat at his core.

Pauline sent Indiana Hoosiers star and National Champion Omar Cooper Jr. to Kansas City at pick No. 29. Reasoning: “Xavier Worthy has never lived up to expectations, Rashee Rice is often in trouble with the law, and Tyquan Thornton has yet to prove he’s a consistent starter.”

But it’s Cooper’s scouting report that really explains why this is such a good fit.

“Big, strong target whose two-year rise is bolstered by translatable tape,” NFL media draft expert Lance Zierlein writes, describing Cooper.

“While he was a full-time slot receiver in 2025, Cooper has played outside, as well,” Zierlein continues. “He can stem and drive past press with his strength. He has potent early acceleration to climb past nickelbacks into top position to challenge deep. His routes lack polish and he has average in-and-out quickness at break-points, but he’s rugged once the ball is in his hands. His ability to add yards after contact could earn Cooper more carries than we saw from him at Indiana. Fighting for catch space and blocking for the running game are areas where he needs improvement.”

Finally, the draft analyst concludes that “Cooper is an ascending slot bully with Day 2 value,” although recent predictions have him coming off the board in round one, sometimes much higher than the 29th overall pick.

Latest on Rashee Rice Amid Chiefs’ NFL Draft Rumors at WR

There has not been an official Rice update in some time, as the Chiefs and the NFL await the legal system once again.

On February 18, ESPN’s Nate Taylor and Michael Rothstein reported that “an ex-girlfriend of Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice has filed a lawsuit in Texas alleging he repeatedly assaulted her during an 18-month span from 2023 to 2025.”

The ex-girlfriend, named Dacoda Jones, said she was pregnant during many of the alleged assaults and is “seeking more than $1 million,” per ESPN.

A direct quote from the lawsuit reads: “Rice has grabbed, choked, strangled, pushed, thrown, scratched, hit, and headbutted Ms. Jones, as well as hit her with inanimate objects.”

Shortly after the lawsuit was formally filed, also on February 18, Rice’s attorney Sean Lindsey released a statement.

It read: “On October 9th, 2025, well after the parties’ relationship had ended, Ms. Jones stated under penalty of perjury in a sworn Affidavit for Non-Prosecution that ‘Mr. Rice and I had a verbal argument, but he did not punch me.’ We will allow the legal process to run its course and have no further comment at this time.”

This matter remains “under review,” according to the NFL, and Chiefs head coach Andy Reid declined to comment on February 20, per Taylor.

Omar Cooper Jr. Had a Career Year in 2025

As for Cooper, the Indiana playmaker got better and better as his college career progressed. He had a career year in 2025, helping to lead the Hoosiers on their title run.

Cooper finished with 69 receptions for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also rushed for 74 yards and 1 touchdown.

The Chiefs love strong yards-after-catch threats like Rice, or 2025 draft pick Jalen Royals, among others. So, Cooper fits the mold.

Wide receivers that quarterback Patrick Mahomes can get the ball to quickly in space.

For Kansas City, the more of these pass-catchers they have, the better. For starters, it’s difficult for opposing defenses to guard so many YAC “bullies,” like Rice and tight end Travis Kelce.

And, more importantly, the Chiefs might need to start thinking about a long-term replacement for Rice, who will no doubt be looking for a contract extension in the coming months despite his recent rash of legal troubles.

Michael Obermuller covers the NFL as an Associate Editor for Heavy Sports, where he began writing in 2021. His areas of focus include the NFL breaking news operation, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers, with expert knowledge on each based on years of coverage. Michael is an NYC area native and Quinnipiac graduate. More about Michael Obermuller