Raiders Opponent Rookie Spotlight: Rashee Rice

The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to get back in the win column as they welcome their AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday.

The Chiefs are coming off a close loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, a game in which their offense faltered in the second half on Monday night. Considering how elite they usually are on that side of the ball, this is a surprise.

They were shut out in the second half, and now they face a Raiders team that has been playing good defense for the last few weeks. Despite their struggles, the Chiefs always are a threat to have a big offensive game.

The Chiefs have several good weapons, but one player who has emerged this season is rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice, who is becoming quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ favorite wide receiver target.

Rice was selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of SMU. The Mustangs have produced good wide receiver talent, including Courtland Sutton of the Denver Broncos.

In his rookie season, Rice has caught 36 passes for 420 yards and four touchdowns. He caught four passes for 42 yards against the Eagles on Monday night, and had a career-high 72 yards against the Broncos on Thursday Night Football in Week 6.

Rice is second on the team in targets this season behind tight end Travis Kelce. For him to earn Mahomes' trust so quickly bodes well for his role in their offense in the future. The Chiefs are looking for a new No. 1 wide receiver, and it might be Rice.

Rice is of good size at 6-foot-1, and 204 pounds, with good speed and ball-tracking abilities. He is a shifty route runner capable of getting open on any route, and can separate from his defender well.

For all the flack Chiefs' wide receivers have gotten this season, Rice has been an impressive player as a rookie. He has been exceptionally consistent and has not hit a rookie wall.

The Raiders had a rough outing against Miami Dolphins’ star Tyreek Hill last Sunday, but have the chance to bounce back this week. While Rice is not on Hill’s level, he is a talented receiver in his own right, and the Raiders will have to be ready.

The Silver and Black return home this week to celebrate Thanksgiving and take on their AFC West rival, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Sunday, November 26, at 4:25 p.m. EST/1:25 p.m. PST.

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