Chiefs WR Rashee Rice snubbed from NFL Rookie of the Year finalists
Rashee Rice just had the best season of any rookie wide receiver that Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid has ever had.Reid's offense is notorious for being challenging for rookie receivers, who don't usually start being productive until year two. That was not the case for Rice in 2023, who caught 79 passes for 938 […]
Rashee Rice just had the best season of any rookie wide receiver that Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid has ever had.
Reid's offense is notorious for being challenging for rookie receivers, who don't usually start being productive until year two. That was not the case for Rice in 2023, who caught 79 passes for 938 yards and seven touchdowns. Rice turned his game up in the second half of the season, averaging seven catches and 80 yards during his last seven games.
Rice quickly became the Chiefs' No. 1 receiver and most reliable target this season, leading all K.C. pass catchers in touchdowns. His ability to create yards after the catch was something that the Chiefs' offense sorely needed. Despite his impressive year, Rice is not a finalist for NFL Rookie of the Year.
That's a lot of stiff competition if we're being honest. Everyone on that list is deserving, and Los Angeles Rams' receiver Puka Nacua seems to be a lock to win the award given his historic season. A case could be made for Rice over Miami Dolphins' running back De'Von Achane, who missed six games due to injury, but Achane has very impressive statistics, nonetheless.
If Rice had been more involved in the offense early on in the season, he likely would have gotten a nod. Had he gotten closer to 90 receptions and over 1,000 yards his statistics would have jumped off the page more. Rice had his most dominant game of the year this past Saturday during the wild-card round of the playoffs, catching eight passes for 130 yards and a touchdown.
Having a dominant postseason and leading the Chiefs back to the Super Bowl, would be a heck of a consolation prize for the rookie wideout. Rice has a very bright future in the NFL, especially with Patrick Mahomes as his quarterback, and could have opportunities at being named a Pro Bowler or an All-Pro in upcoming seasons.
Chiefs already doing diligence on wide receivers in 2024 NFL draft class
The Kansas City Chiefs have already met with a rising wide receiver prospect in the 2024 NFL draft.
