Replacing Curtis Samuel remains on the to-do list for the Washington Commanders ahead fo the 2024 NFL draft, a problem the team can solve by using a third-round pick to select USC wide receiver Brenden Rice, the son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, the NFL’s all-time receiving leader.
The idea comes from Ben Standig of The Athletic in his latest mock draft. Standig has the Commanders use the 100th-overall pick on Rice the younger.
As Standig put it, “the Commanders signed free agent Olamide Zaccheaus and retained Jamison Crowder but have yet to adequately replace Curtis Samuel or add needed size next to Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson.”
This is where Standig sees Rice’s son entering the picture, partly because of a connection with new Commanders’ offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury: “Rice isn’t some Megatron clone (6-2) or track star (4.5 40-yard time), but he caught 12 touchdown passes on 45 receptions for the Trojans last season with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury on staff.”
These factors form a strong argument for the Commanders taking Rice. There’d also be a touch of irony if they used the 100th pick to do it, since the selection comes from the San Francisco 49ers as part of the Chase Young trade.
