Chicago Bears Draft: An under-the-radar WR1 prospect

As we inch closer to the 2023 NFL Draft, prospects will continue to rise at key positions. For the Chicago Bears, one of those key positions of need remains at wide receiver.

Going into this next season, we will likely see Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, Velus Jones Jr. and Equanimeous St. Brown as the four wideouts with pretty comfortable jobs. Two other spots, though, will be up for grabs. Most notably, the Bears need an alpha wide receiver.

The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft could see a handful of those taken, including TCU’s Quenton Johnston, USC’s Jordan Addison and Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

But, moving past that first round, the Bears could find themselves another great option and pay less draft capital to get him. The Bears will undoubtedly trade the number 1 overall pick, giving them some additional picks in this draft and likely next year’s. With multiple picks in the second or third round probable, Chicago should look at SMU standout receiver Rashee Rice.

He isn’t a first-round name, but Rashee Rice could become the alpha receiver the Chicago Bears have needed.

One thing people may not know about Rice is that he was given multiple Power 5 offers, but chose SMU. It’s not like there was a lack of talent coming out of high school. He’s always been one of “those dudes.”

At 6-foot-3, Rice has the prototypical frame you want to see in a dominant outside receiver. He’s got size, too, weighing around 205lbs.

Rice is an athlete, being able to go up and make tremendous catches at the point of attack. He uses his body well, whether it’s to position himself for his quarterback or to maneuver after the catch and gain extra yardage. The strength is evident within his frame.

Rice has a noted “alpha mentality” according to his draft profiles, and that’s just what the Bears need. They not only need that mentality, but the proof on the field, and Rice could give them just that.

Last year at SMU, Rice caught 96 passes for 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns.

This is a player who is comfortable running different routes, but hasn’t had the chance to showcase all of what he’s capable of. That’s one reason he might fall a little bit, but his route running is nothing to worry about and should translate well because of his physical tools.

If Rice is there anywhere from the late second to late third round, he is absolutely worth a pick and could allow the Bears to focus on building the trenches with higher capital.