Travis Kelce's fantasy stock is skyrocketing following Rashee Rice's injury

Travis Kelce has been an absolute disaster in fantasy football this season, averaging just 7.73 points per game in PPR leagues. But Kelce managers or people looking to trade him got a big boost after Rashee Rice's unfortunate injury that is expected to sideline him for the season.

Based on volume alone, Kelce could move up to TE1 range again.

After Rice injured his knee early in the Chiefs' win over the Chargers in Week 4, Kelce had his best game and fantasy performance of the season, recording 7 catches for 89 yards, good for 15.9 points in PPR leagues cared.

More importantly, he scored nine goals in the game, almost double his previous high this season.

Looking closer, Kelce had a target percentage of 15.4%, 13.6% and 13.9% in Weeks 1-3 this season with Rice on the court. When Rice was out yesterday, Kelce had a target percentage of 32.1%.

That's what gives him TE1 potential.

Many said Kelce was worn out after the first three weeks of the season, but he is averaging 10.5 yards per catch this season, and yesterday that rose to 12.7 for 38 yards. He may not have been great at the start of the year, but he's getting there.

Without Rice, the Chiefs don't have many other pass-catching options left, and Hollywood Brown is expected to miss this year. Xavier Worthy is a nice big-time threat, but he has never scored more than four goals in a game, including yesterday after Rice was injured. If anything, Worthy's ability to stretch the field gives Kelce a greater chance to play underneath, where he feels most comfortable.

Patrick Mahomes has a long-standing connection with Kelce and will lean on that following Rice's injury. Even if the Chiefs trade for a wide receiver, and there's a good chance they will with so little depth at the position, Kelce is the new top target in this system. This will not change with any further additions.

As Kelce gets back into game shape, expect his numbers to improve in the coming weeks. The Kelce managers are doing well with the target share he is expected to achieve.