Let’s look at how fans and analysts responded to the Kansas City Chiefs selection of WR Rashee Rice in the second round of the NFL Draft.
After watching the initial run come and go on wide receivers in the first round, some Kansas City Chiefs fans were frustrated that their favorite team was unable or unwilling to trade up and grab one of the most heralded prospects in this year’s draft at the wideout position. That’s especially true of names like Zay Flowers or Quentin Johnston who even visited with the Chiefs and/or caught passes in practice from Patrick Mahomes.
All was not lost at the position, however, as the Chiefs decided to go offense in the second round of the draft. They traded up with the Detroit Lions to No. 55 overall—moving up eight spots—in order to select Rashee Rice, a physical wide receiver from SMU.
Immediately, the Chiefs now have a dynamic young WR corps that looks like a well-rounded group with Skyy Moore, Kadarius Toney, Marquez Valdes-Scanting, Richie James, Justin Watson, and Rice. To that mix, Rice will look like a solid weapon in the red zone especially after putting up 19 touchdown receptions in the last two seasons at SMU.
Check out the instant responses on Twitter that backed up the Chiefs’ confidence in Rice.
KC led the NFL with 83 plays that gained 20+ yards
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 29, 2023
Their rate of explosive pass gains of 20+ yards was higher in 2022 than it was
...in 2021
...in 2020
...in 2019
Enter WR Rashee Rice pic.twitter.com/BTArqccVjr
Rashee Rice drew 13 pass interference penalties in 2022, the highest figure in the nation
— Mike Tanier (@MikeTanier) April 29, 2023
Rice ranked second in the nation with 37 targets on passes of 20-plus air yards. He caught 18 of them (first in the nation) for 566 yards (fifth) and drew two DPIs. #ChiefsKingdom
Rashee Rice had a pretty damn good relative athletic score. Was the 5th rated WR in the Breakout Finder app. The Beast had him right behind Reed and right in front of Mingo. PFF’s 9th WR Overall. Know lots of Chiefs Kingdom is down on him, but there are reasons to be optimistic. pic.twitter.com/ew0cg9Vqys
— Adam Best (@Arrowhead_Adam) April 29, 2023
RD 2 | RK 55 - Chiefs: Rashee Rice WR, SMU
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) April 29, 2023
The second-team All-American led the FBS in receiving yards per game last season (112.9). Rice is explosive athlete who recorded a 41-inch vertical and a 1.49-second 10-yard split at the combine (both in the top 5% of WR since 2003). pic.twitter.com/PDcPLBOtzP
The @Chiefs were missing a bigger physical WR type. Rashee Rice is a good route runner. Has great hands. And after the catch he bounces off a lot of would be tacklers. The chiefs receivers room got a little bit of everything.
— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) April 29, 2023
It’s also impossible not to smile when you see this quote coming from Rice, however, and then thinking about Patrick Mahomes.
https://twitter.com/JustinM_NFL/status/1652113618400337923
Let’s be clear. To represent all sides, we had to admit that not everyone was a big fan of the pick—either of Rice himself or the fact that other prospects were on the board at the time.
No DHop
— Noah Gray burner (@TheGoatMahomes) April 28, 2023
No QJ
No Zay
Chiefs drafting Rashee Rice
It's so unbelievably over.pic.twitter.com/xCkDk9WaJ6
Rashee Rice is a great athlete.
— Conner Christopherson (@Conner_DKC) April 29, 2023
He was completely miscast as a jump ball wide receiver at SMU and still did well at it.
The catch? I really don’t think that works in the NFL. When Rice played a good team, Cincinnati, he had three drops and a fumble.
Idk how he translates. 🤬
I'm gonna be real, I don't love Rashee Rice, but I see the direction the Chiefs were going here.
— Show Me Football (@ShowMeFB) April 29, 2023
They didn't want a guy restricted to playing slot, they wanted a big target, and Rice replaces what JuJu brought. Hope he translates to the NFL level.