Saints vs. Chiefs NFL Monday Night Football predictions and live ...

While Xavier Worthy and Travis Kelce have been seen as the big names in a Chiefs offense without Rashee Rice, Kansas City could lean on a few lesser-known names in their first game without their leading receiver.

TE Noah Gray: Through the first four weeks, Patrick Mahomes had the second-most passing yards (300) and fourth-most passing attempts (31) out of two-tight end personnel, according to TruMedia. Gray, a fourth-year tight end who finished 2023 with 28 receptions for 305 yards and two touchdowns, has had a quiet season thus far. However, he saw his biggest workload of the season in Week 4 after Rice went down, catching all four of his targets for 40 yards.

RB Samaje Perine: The eight-year veteran has transitioned to a primary pass-catching back in the latter portion of his season, seeing 50 targets in each of the last two seasons. Perine has seen a limited workload through four games, but has seen his most opportunity with Kansas City over the last two weeks. He has 53 offensive snaps over the last two games, including 40 percent of all offensive plays in last week’s game against the Chargers.

WR Justin Watson: Watson slots in as the de-facto next wide receiver up behind Worthy, in part because he’s already served in that role before. He finished third on the Chiefs and second among Chiefs receivers in targets last season, converting 53 targets into 27 receptions for 460 yards and three touchdowns. However, Watson has suffered from a case of the drops since coming to Kansas City. In his first two seasons with the Chiefs, Watson registered nine total dropped passes – including four in 2023. Three of Mahomes’ interceptions in 2023 came on targets to Watson, according to Pro Football Reference.