One of the biggest questions for the Los Angeles Chargers offseason is who will replace Mike Williams and Keenan Allen as the team’s star receivers. Their wide receiver options are far broader than they are deep. They have several options, but all come with giant ‘what-abouts.’ But Shervon Fakhimi of Clutch Points believes that 2024 seventh-rounder, Brenden Rice is the receiver that will break through as a a huge contributor.
“A big plus to Rice’s skillset is that he can play anywhere on the field,” writes Fakhimi, “That’s what he did in his two years at USC after transferring there from the University of Colorado. At 6-foot-2 and 212 pounds, Rice can bully smaller corners on the outside to win in the short and intermediate game.”
“Bully ball isn’t the only arrow Rice has in his quiver,” Fakhimi continues, “He’s got solid speed (4.5 40-yard dash) and agility for a receiver his size. That allows him to be able to operate in the slot as well and generate extra yards after the catch.”
Can Brenden Rice Earn A Starting Role for the Los Angeles Chargers?
With an entirely new regime in place atop the Chargers organization, the depth chart is swept clean. Especially at this position and Especially with Allen and Williams off the team. Only DJ Chark and Joshua Plamer have any real NFL experience. Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis should essentially be thought of as rookies. Speaking of rookies, the Chargers traded up for Ladd McConkey in the 2nd and also added former Michigan Wolverine Cornelius Johnson in the seventh along with Rice.
What that all means is there is plenty of completion for first-team reps, but Rice has just as much of a chance as all of those guys to earn a chance to put his cleats to NFL turf this next season. Which means it will come down to who wants it the most. And Rice is coming into his rookie year highly motivated.
The former USC Trojan was expected to be drafted in the late third to early fourth round but didn’t go until the final round of the draft. Rice has said on multiple occasions that he is using this perceived slight as motivation, even vowing that the league would feel his pain.
Jim Harbaugh’s offense has never been built around the most skilled or athletic receivers. It more values guys who are hard workers and fundamentally sound, two things Brenden Rice prides himself on.
