The Kansas City Chiefs face uncertainty at the wide receiver position following recent developments surrounding Rashee Rice. Early in January, Rice was publicly accused of domestic violence by his former girlfriend, Dacoda Nichole. Although Rice has not been charged or arrested, the NFL opened an investigation into these allegations amid concerns about his off-field conduct.
Rice’s situation adds to existing challenges at wide receiver, where his availability has been inconsistent. General manager Brett Veach is reportedly exploring options in the upcoming NFL draft to reinforce the position and secure steady talent, particularly with potential free agents to replace or re-sign and injury concerns affecting younger receivers like first-round pick Xavier Worthy.
Expert Mock Draft Predicts Ohio State’s Carnell Tate as a Potential Chiefs Choice
NFL draft analyst Todd McShay has projected the Chiefs to select Carnell Tate, a wide receiver from Ohio State, with the ninth overall pick in his second mock draft of 2026. Tate is praised for his NFL readiness and skill set, qualities the Chiefs urgently need alongside quarterback Patrick Mahomes. McShay noted the absence of other contenders like Jeremiyah Love and Rueben Bain in this scenario.
The two guys I think the Chiefs could be targeting with this pick—[Jeremiyah] Love and [Rueben] Bain—are gone in this exercise,
Todd McShay remarked.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes needs a steady and reliable WR right now, and Tate is the most NFL-ready one this class has to offer. Makai Lemon, Jordyn Tyson, or Denzel Boston could also be the pick here, depending on how much helium each guy gets throughout the predraft process.
Todd McShay added.
Carnell Tate’s Addition Could Provide Multiple Elite Receiving Options
If drafted, Tate would join Rice and Worthy to form a trio of wide receivers with high potential, providing the Chiefs with multiple legitimate No. 1 targets. Rice, despite his talent, has had durability and availability concerns, while Worthy’s smaller frame has contributed to injury issues. Tate’s 6-foot-3 stature, precise route-running, and productive college career suggest he could be a key contributor.
Tate accumulated 1,872 yards and 14 touchdowns during his three years at Ohio State, with a breakout final season seeing 51 catches for 875 yards and 9 touchdowns. If Rice manages to avoid further off-field distractions and Worthy improves his durability, the team would be well-positioned at wide receiver, which is critical given the anticipated retirement of star tight end Travis Kelce around 2026 or 2027.
Latest Developments on Rashee Rice’s Off-Field Situation
Updates on Rice’s off-field issues have been sparse in recent weeks. Following Nichole’s initial social media allegation, which was later removed, both the NFL and Chiefs acknowledged the ongoing concerns. TMZ reported encountering Rice at Los Angeles International Airport on January 28, where he declined to comment on the abuse allegations.
EXCLUSIVE: Rashee Rice has yet to address abuse allegations made by his ex-girlfriend, Dacoda [Nichole] Jones, earlier this month … and that remained the case when we directly asked him about them at LAX on Tuesday,
TMZ Sports stated.
As of mid-February, Rice has not released any official statement regarding the accusations, and the NFL’s investigation continues. The league’s findings could have serious repercussions, given Rice’s prior suspension related to a 2024 felony case concerning a high-speed crash involving injuries to civilians.
Implications for the Chiefs’ Future Strategy
With Rice’s off-field issues under scrutiny and concerns over the health and availability of other receivers, the Chiefs appear poised to invest in wide receiver talent early in the draft. Adding Carnell Tate or a comparable prospect would not only deepen the receiver corps but also provide quarterback Patrick Mahomes with more consistent and reliable options.
This strategy aligns with the team’s need to prepare for the eventual departure of key veteran players, including Travis Kelce. Strengthening the wide receiver group could prove crucial for maintaining offensive production and competitiveness in coming seasons, making the upcoming draft an important moment for the Chiefs’ roster evolution.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Rashee Rice has yet to address abuse allegations made by his ex-girlfriend, Dacoda Jones, earlier this month … and that remained the case when we directly asked him about them at LAX on Tuesday. https://t.co/NMB4d9tIKY pic.twitter.com/yj9bfTRAxk
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) January 28, 2026
