This WR Would Make Perfect Sense For The Packers

It's time to give Jordan Love everything he needs to be succesful

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We are only 8 days away from the NFL Draft. We will soon see Brian Gutekunst’s plan for the future unravel. The only thing that would cause me to come away from the draft unsatisfied is if the Packers don’t draft another weapon for Jordan Love in the first few rounds.

If we get to round 3 and the Packers still haven’t drafted a pass catcher I would be shocked.

Yes, there are other needs but the most important thing right now for the Packers is to build a unit around Jordan Love to ensure the greatest chance of him being successful. 

For about 20 years the Packers have shied away from drafting receivers in the first round, and so far their strategy of waiting to draft talented players after round 1 has worked out pretty nicely.

Before the draft it’s easy to get sold on every WR who is projected to go in the first round, but after a couple years many of those guys don’t become who everyone thought they would become. Drafting and projecting players at the next level is very similar to throwing darts at a dart board. Sometimes you hit, sometimes you don’t. Just ask the Bears who drafted Mitch Trubisky #2 overall, the Browns who took Baker Mayfield #1 overall, or the Panthers who took Sam Darnold with the 3rd pick of the 2018 draft. 

It’s more exciting when a team drafts a pass catching weapon in round 1, but if the Packers have found so much success taking receivers later why switch up now? That gets us to the topic I want to speak of today.

Rashee Rice. It came out yesterday that he is meeting with the Packers. 

I’ve dug into Rashee Rice a few different times this off-season, and it feels to me like this guy would be perfect for what the Packers like to do.

He’s 6’1 204 pounds. The Packers prefer guys who are at least 6’0 and around 200 pounds, which I wrote about earlier this off-season. He fits the mold. Rice consistently led SMU’s receiver group but really took over in 2022 where he had 98 receptions for 1,355 yards which was 3rd in the nation. He also had the 3rd most deep catches in college football last year and was top 10 in contested catches. 

Here’s what PFF had to say about Rice: 

“Where he wins: Ball Skills

Rice’s ability to adjust to the ball in the air is as good as it gets in this draft class. That’s a necessary skill for someone who is not an elite athlete. 

What’s his role: Possession Receiver

It’s no surprise that Rice saw insane volume this past fall (156 targets)- that’s just the kind of receiver he is. He thrives as an intermediate route runner and in contested situations. 

What he can improve: Release Package 

Rice has all the makings of a chain mover except the bullet proof release package. If he can mix in some more physical releases, he can win consistently at the next level.” 

While Rice’s high end is debatable, he has a high floor and is one of the more NFL- ready receivers in this class.” 

He isn’t the fastest guy running a 4.51 40, but he tested as the 5th best WR this year in Relative Athletic score. 

His 1.49 10 yard split (98th percentile) shows his ability to get off of the line quickly. 

His vertical is insane at 41”(98th percentile). Let me just put that in perspective for you. 

Davante Adam’s vertical- 39.5”

Justin Jefferson’s vertical- 38.5”

He can get up there with the best of them. Looks like an elite red zone weapon to me.

There are not many NFL receivers who have the kind of explosiveness vertically that Rashee Rice has. Jordan Love could use a guy who can go up and come down with jump balls. 

You don’t need to be the fastest guy on the field to dominate at WR. Davante Adams ran a 4.56 40 and look where he is now. It took Davante a few years to break out, but with time Davante has become one of if not the best route runners in the NFL. 

Rice also spent lots of time in the slot.

In 2021 317/340 snaps were from the slot. It took a dip down in 2022 where 81/469 snaps were from the slot. With the Packers already having two legitimate outside receivers in Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, the Packers could utilize Rice in the slot. They could also kick him outside and give Doubs time in the slot as well. It would give them lots of flexibility. 

Right now most draft experts have him slated as a  2nd or 3rd round draft pick.

The Packers could go edge or tight end in the first round and still come away with a legitimate threat at receiver. If the Packers came away with a first round TE like Dalton Kincaid or Darnell Washington and then came in and drafted Rashee Rice in the 2nd round I would be VERY satisfied. The Packers offense would have a dangerous young group that will be cheap and dominant for years to come.