As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Rashee Rice.
Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles
2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Rashee Rice (WR – Southern Methodist)
6’2″ – 203 lbs.
Background:
Texas native who made an instant impact as a freshman, appearing in ten games and catching 25-403-1 (16.1). Had solid sophomore (48-683-5, 14.2) and junior campaigns (64-670-9, 10.5) before really breaking out as a senior, a year in which he made a big impact in nearly every game and finished with an impressive line of 96-1,355-10.
Positives:
Highly productive, reliable team captain who was the focal point of his team’s passing game. Escalating production over the course of his career. Runs routes to all three levels of the field but is primarily working near the boundary on comebacks, curls, and other patterns of that nature, with some screens, overs, back-shoulder throws, and seam patterns off of inside releases mixed in. Pays attention to the details on his patterns, gets even when releasing and at the stem, sinks his hips, and leans into the defender before breaking back the other way. Sits down in soft spots against zone coverage. Big target who tracks the ball well over his shoulder and makes adjustments to throws away from his frame. Uses his body effectively to shield defenders from the ball. Can go up and climb the ladder to come down with 50-50 throws; excellent concentration. Handles contact well. Works back to the ball instead of letting it come to him. Nice sideline awareness and footwork near the boundary. Very difficult to cover in the red zone.
Negatives:
Was able to make a lot of plays downfield at the college level but is not a particularly fast or explosive receiver; relies on his ability to win contested catches. Consequently, could potentially struggle to get consistent separation against man coverage and may need a quarterback who’s willing to throw him the ball when covered. Not particularly dynamic after the catch; more likely to lower the shoulder and barrel into defenders. Fumbled the ball a couple of times during the games reviewed.
Summary:
One of the most polished receiver prospects in this year’s class, he combines impressive size and physicality with attention to detail as a route runner, and all the traits teams look for in a possession target: hands, tracking, adjustments, leaping ability, concentration and physicality. May not be one of the most explosive players in the class, but has the traits to develop into a reliable split end on a team where his quarterback is willing to give him chances to make plays vertically and down the field.
Projection: Round 2
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio