Rising WR prospect checks every box for the Titans
NFL Draft prospect and former SMU Mustangs wide receiver Rashee Rice is everything the Tennessee Titans should be looking for.
2023 NFL Draft prospect and former SMU Mustangs wide receiver Rashee Rice is quickly emerging as one of the best draft fits for the Tennessee Titans this April.
Rice played all four years at SMU, finishing 5th on the program's leaderboard for all-time receiving yards after a monster senior season. In 2022, Rice was top five in all of Division I FBS college football in both receptions (96, 5th) and receiving yards (1,355, 3rd) earning himself All-AAC First Team and AP All-America Second Team honors
Now, Rice is going pro and quickly flying up draft boards. His versatile skillset and team-first mentality checks every metaphorical box for the Titans, who have a clear vision for the type of players they are hoping to add this offseason.
When head coach Mike Vrabel spoke to Titans media from the NFL Combine on Tuesday, he reiterated that his main objective this offseason is to "try to bring in players that are winners, that love football, that have a level of speed and violence and versatility, and are willing to put the team first."
That's Rashee Rice in a nutshell.
At 6'0" and 200 pounds with good vertical speed, Rice has a good blend of size and quickness that makes him effective attacking the seam. While his collegiate route tree was limited, his play strength, ball-tracking, and physicality made him a dangerous playmaker down the field.
He's not the fastest guy on the field, but Rice can still pull away from defenders in the second level and rack up some yards after the catch.
As if his playmaking ability wasn't enough, Rice really begins to separate himself as a perfect fit for the Titans by impacting the ground game.
According to a report from Turron Davenport of ESPN, Rice spoke to the Titans at the combine and "they really liked the blocking he showed on film." Rice also told Davenport that "playing with a running back like Henry means the wide receivers have to make sure they block downfield knowing he could break a long run at any time."
Rice embraces blocking down field, and while some Titans fans may roll their eyes at the idea of acquiring another wide receiver that is praised for his skill as a run blocker, it is a trait that undeniably fits Tennessee's scheme. That being said, it is just one of many attractive attributes that make Rice an intriguing draft prospect and a great fit for what the Titans will be trying to do moving forward.
Vrabel said the Titans were looking for winners and football lovers with speed, violence, versatility, and team-first mentality.
Winner and football lover? Check. SMU was ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time in 31 years during Rice's freshman season with the Mustangs. They repeated that achievement in three of his four seasons in Dallas, and never had a losing season while he was with the program.
Speed, violence, and versatility? Check, check, and check. He can do a little bit of it all, both separating himself from coverage and being aggressive in traffic with play strength.
And finally, his willingness to put the team first. If those comments about supporting Derrick Henry and being excited to showcase his blocking are any indication…check.
Keep an eye on Rice as the NFL Draft approaches. His results in tests and drills at the combine will be fascinating, as Rice could turn heads with good numbers in the 40 and vertical jump. His current draft stock projects him to come off the board between rounds two and three on Day 2 of the draft. That could be really good value for the Titans to fill a big need.
Image via Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
