SKOL Search: Rashee Rice scouting report
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This series will be your guide to the 2023 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.
The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at wide receiver, running back, cornerback and both interior and edge pass rusher.
The Vikings are slated to have four picks before compensatory selections are awarded and they need to make the most out of them.
Background
Nov 26, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs wide receiver Rashee Rice (11) catches a touchdown pass against the Memphis Tigers during the second half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Rice broke the SMU single-season receiving yard record with this catch. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Zay Flowers
SMU
Height-6’1″
Weight-189 lbs
Fourth-year Senior
3-Star recruit per 247 Sports
Stats: 233 receptions, 3,111 yards, 25 touchdowns
Games watched: Navy 2022, Tulsa 2022, Maryland 2022
Strengths
Nov 26, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs wide receiver Rashee Rice (11) runs after the catch while being chased by Memphis Tigers defensive back Kris Burress (37) during the first half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Rice has speed and uses it well in the open field. He glides almost majestically and effortlessly when running in space. When he gets the ball, he’s a threat to take it to the house.
He has a solid release package and can separate with technique. Rice works back to the football on comeback and hitch routes along with broken plays. At the catch point, he is physical and brings in contested catches at a high frequency. Displays good hands and only 21 drops on 352 targets (5.96%).
Weaknesses
Cincinnati Bearcats cornerback Arquon Bush (9) tackles Southern Methodist Mustangs wide receiver Rashee Rice (11) in the fourth quarter of the American Athletic Conference game at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. Cincinnati Bearcats defeated Southern Methodist Mustangs 29-27.
Cincinnati Bearcats At Southern Methodist Mustangs 730
For being a speedster, Rice doesn’t do a great job separating with speed. Some of it is not doing a great job selling routes at the top of the stem. Selling the deep route and turning it into hitch/comeback and double moves should be his bread and butter but it’s not quite there.
His route tree isn’t fully developed due to playing in the Air Raid at SMU. Once he gets to the NFL, there will be a learning curve. Not being able to play with as much space in the NFL as he did in college.
Overview
Sep 17, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs wide receiver Rashee Rice (11) catches a pass falling back as Maryland Terrapins defensive back Deonte Banks (3) defends during the first half at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Hands | 7.6/10 |
Release | 8.0/10 |
Route Running | 12.6/15 |
Separation | 12.3/15 |
Contested Catches | 9.2/10 |
Tracking | 8.7/10 |
Body Control | 8.6/10 |
YAC Ability | 8.7/10 |
Agility | 8.2/10 |
Grade | 83.9/100 Second Round |
Rice has a lot of tools, but there is still quite a bit of work to be done. He needs some technique work to maximize his potential, but the tools are evident across the board.
He would be a really nice addition to the Vikings. His size, physicality and speed are tools that are worth developing. I would expect him to go in the second round, but teams love speed.
