A rookie from the Chiefs might be on the verge of making a breakthrough at an opportune moment.
Throughout the entire season, the Kansas City Chiefs have been in search of an additional target in the passing game to alleviate the pressure on star tight end Travis Kelce. Kelce has consistently been the primary source of reliability for Patrick Mahomes in the passing attack. However, there is a possibility that rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice is coming into his own at a crucial juncture.
With six weeks left in the 2023 season, the Chiefs recently witnessed the rookie Rice, a second-round pick from SMU, deliver his most impressive performance of the season. In Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders, he secured eight receptions for 107 yards and scored a touchdown. Beyond just a standout game, there have been consistent indications over the past six weeks that Rice is evolving into a legitimate offensive threat.
In the opportunities afforded to him this season, Rice has emerged as the NFL leader in yards after the catch per reception, boasting an impressive 8.4 YAC per reception. Among wide receivers, this places him at the top of the league, surpassing Lions WR Kalif Raymond by almost a full yard.
Since the departure of Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs’ offense has been without a true threat at the wide receiver position. Despite this, as demonstrated last year, the team managed to make enough plays to secure a Super Bowl victory. However, in 2023, there is a possibility of having a legitimate wide receiver threat who can not only create opportunities for Travis Kelce but also generate explosive plays for the Chiefs’ offense independently.
While not reaching the level of Tyreek Hill, Rice possesses dynamic speed, impressive size, and the capability to make impactful plays, as evidenced by moments like this: [Include reference to a specific play or highlight if available].
This route by Rashee Rice is a Juju route from last year, and he ran and caught it beautifully. I hope this is just the beginning and they start to give him all of Juju's old routes. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LJmEIqxbhl
— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) November 28, 2023
Rice’s skills will face another significant challenge this upcoming weekend as the Chiefs go up against the Green Bay Packers, featuring a talented secondary.
