The Kansas City Chiefs selected SMU WR Rashee Rice at pick No. 55 in the 2023 NFL draft after moving up with the Detroit Lions.
Below you will find the Chiefs Wire staff’s reactions, grades and initial thoughts for this pick:
Charles Goldman's grade: C+
This is an interesting selection from the Chiefs and it sounds like it may have come with an assist from star QB Patrick Mahomes. The two have already worked out together in Texas this offseason (big surprise given what we’ve seen during the pre-draft process). If this truly is the wide receiver that Mahomes wanted, I’ll trust that the two-time MVP has a good feel.
Rice is listed at 6-foot and 205 pounds, so he doesn’t exactly replace the size that the team lost in JuJu Smith-Schuster this offseason. He is coming off of a highly productive year at SMU, but I still have concerns about his ability to create separation at the next level. Overall, I think he can provide valuable depth in Year 1, but I’m not sure that he can be the No. 1 wideout that many fans were hoping to secure in the 2023 NFL draft.
Wesley Roesch's grade: B-
Personally, I would have gone with Cedric Tillman or even Jalin Hyatt with this pick, but I like the Rice pick as well. Rice has the ability to bully opposing defenders and fight for the ball. With a 41-inch vertical, he’s a true “go up and get it” guy, though he needs a bit more consistency in that area.
A “bully” is the type of receiver I wanted the Chiefs to get, though Rice wasn’t my first preference for that type of player. Still, you can’t ignore his production at SMU — over 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. He did have a rough game against Cincinnati, but the traits are still there regardless.
Overall, I’m glad the Chiefs were able to accomplish a trade-up and grab the guy they wanted. It remains to be seen whether it was the right pick, but I have faith in Rice based on the tape.
Nicolas Roesch's grade: C-
I’m pretty confused by the Rice pick. If the Chiefs wanted a physical receiver who can make contested catches and break tackles, Cedric Tillman should have been the no-brainer choice. Rice is smaller and played in a much weaker conference than Tillman. Rice also struggles with drops, which is not an issue with Tillman.
Rice is a complete athlete and produced at an elite level at SMU, even if it was against lower-level competition. He’s going to be more of a project than fans want, which has been the trend with most WRs the Chiefs draft. This is an underwhelming decision for me.
John Dillon's grade: B
Roast me if you must, but I would’ve liked one of the other receiving options here, namely Jalin Hyatt or Tank Dell. Rice was a force of nature at Southern Methodist and must have made a great impression in his encounters with the Chiefs throughout the draft process. The move to trade up and select him with the 55th pick was bold but addresses a major need.
Bottom line, regardless of personal preference or trade compensation, one has to think that Patrick Mahomes played a major role in bringing Rice to Kansas City. For that reason alone, this pick can’t really be criticized or analyzed until Rice sees the field with the MVP quarterback.
