The Loop has a big problem. So does one team in every fantasy football league on the planet.

How are we going to replace Rashee Rice?

The Kansas City speedster was off to a great start as Patrick Mahomes’ No. 1 receiver. Then his season likely ended when he had his knee blown out by a diving … yes … Patrick Mahomes.

So we’re all scrambling for receivers, which makes this a great time to look at the deep pool of rookie pass catchers.

The Chiefs will obviously turn to Xavier Worthy to replace Rice as No. 1, but you probably are too late to grab him off waivers. We won’t even bother including Marvin Harrison Jr. or Malik Nabers since they’re already must-start players you have no chance of adding.

But here are some of the first-year wideouts you might be able to snag:

Brian Thomas (Jaguars): The latest LSU receiving sensation has been arguably the only good player in Jacksonville the first four weeks. Seventeen catches for 275 yards and two touchdowns. And his quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, has to eventually pull his head out of wherever it has been the past 10 games, right?

Brian Thomas Jr. #7 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is tackled by Cam Lewis #39 of the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium on Sept. 23, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

Ladd McConkey (Chargers): The L.A. offense has been limited along with Justin Herbert, but this former Georgia WR is off to a good start. His 15 catches for 176 yards and two TDs show what he is capable of with limited competition from other Chargers receivers.

Ladd McConkey #15 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 29, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Rome Odunze (Bears): Caleb Williams’ off-and-on start has been mirrored by his rookie wideout. Ten catches for 166 yards and one TD hasn’t been earth-shattering. But the former Washington standout is still a top talent.

Rome Odunze #15 of the Chicago Bears runs the ball after a catch during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Xavier Legette (Panthers): This South Carolina product has 12 receptions for 143 yards and a score. His totals could soar now that the Panthers have properly benched Bryce Young and installed Andy Dalton as the team’s gunslinger.

Jack Jones #18 of the Las Vegas Raiders tackles Xavier Legette #17 of the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 22, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)

Keon Coleman (Bills): The former Seminole started to get more attention from QB Josh Allen last week in Baltimore, and he made some noteworthy catches. He only has eight for 126 yards and a touchdown so far, but he’s going to be a bigger part of the Bills’ offense going forward.

Keon Coleman #0 of the Buffalo Bills reacts after a first down during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Sept. 29, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Sitting stars

Jets running back Breece Hall has been a bust with only 44 yards per game and will struggle again against the unbeaten Vikings.. … The Ravens’ tough run defense will keep in check the Bengals’ Zack Moss and Chase Brown. … Dallas won’t be able to run on Pittsburgh, even giving most of the chances to Rico Dowdle. … Giants rookie WR Malik Nabers is great, but he’ll be less than full speed vs. Seattle. … Houston wideout Stefon Diggs will be the focus of the Buffalo defense in their reunion showdown. … Vikings QB Sam Darnold will cool off a bit against the Jets’ still-solid defense, and Cardinals QB Kyler Murray will be kept mostly in check by San Francisco.

Breece Hall #20 of the New York Jets is tackled by Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium on Sept. 09, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Matchup game

Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt will get an even bigger share of the load against New Orleans. … Green Bay RB Josh Jacobs will have a big day against the Rams, if you assume the Packers won’t fall behind 28-0. … Jaguars RB Travis Etienne will finally break out against the Colts. … Bears RB D’Andre Swift will stay hot vs. the Panthers. … Jets WR Garrett Wilson will take advantage of the Vikings’ defensive deficiencies. … Browns receivers Jerry Jeudy and Amari Cooper will thrive in a shootout vs. Washington. … And two quarterbacks we expect good games from are the Bucs’ Baker Mayfield and the desperate-for-victory Bengals’ Joe Burrow.

Kareem Hunt #29 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs the ball during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 29, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Injury watch

Indy quarterback Anthony Richardson injured his hip last week against Pittsburgh, so he might be a risky choice even if he’s cleared to play. … His teammate Jonathan Taylor leads the list of questionable runners that includes Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson, Houston’s Joe Mixon, Pittsburgh’s Jaylen Warren and Miami’s Raheem Mostert. … Packers receiver Christian Watson is out, and there are questions about a handful of other top WRs (Giants’ Nabers, Raiders’ Davante Adams, Tampa’s Mike Evans, Bills’ Khalil Shakir and Houston’s Tank Dell) … and standout tight ends (Arizona’s Trey McBride, Niners’ George Kittle, Cleveland’s David Njoku, Jacksonville’s Evan Engram and the Saints’ Taysom Hill).

Anthony Richardson (5) of the Indianapolis Colts looks on from the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Deepest sleeper

He’s strictly a journeyman who’s on his fifth NFL team in eight years, but Washington running back Jeremy McNichols is worth picking up, at least for this week. The former Boise State standout had 10 touches for 70 yards and two touchdowns last Sunday in place of Austin Ekeler, who was out with a concussion and could miss Week 5 as well. McNichols would be part of a nice tandem with Brian Robinson when the red-hot Commanders play host to Cleveland.

Jeremy McNichols #26 of the Washington Commanders runs the ball for a touchdown against Jalen Thompson #34 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium on Sept. 29, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

The Thursday pick

Buccaneers at Falcons (-1½):
Pick: Buccaneers by 3

Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium on Sept. 29, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

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