2020 NFL Draft Profile: Fresno State TE Jared Rice
Rice’s senior year took a step back how much will that hurt him?
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Rice is looking to land an NFL contract
Fresno State tight end Jared Rice is a prospect worth looking at by NFL teams. He played through multiple quarterbacks — with a revamped offensive line in 2019 — and that showed significantly between his junior and senior year when his production dipped from all-conference level to just an OK starter.
Heading into his senior year, Rice was a preseason all-Mountain West pick and was on the John Mackey Award watchlist which is awarded for the nation’s best tight end. He also is the all-time leader in yards and receptions for Fresno State at the tight end position.
Strengths
Being the best tight end ever at Fresno State is a nice notch on the belt as Rice has achieved that last year. Rice has touchdown ability with nearly a 10 percent catch to touchdown rate with 113 career grabs to 11 scores.
He was a very reliable target when the ball was thrown his way and as tight ends go, was a big target standing at 6-foot-5 and 243 pounds. He also has decent speed at 4.83 for a tight end. He also has a huge wing spend of 78 inches which allows him to extend and make catches when balls are thrown away from his body.
He has the ability to knock over defensive backs to gain extra yards after the catch and is not afraid to make contact.
Weaknesses
His drop in production from 2018 to 2019 is a concern. Hopefully, scouts will realize he was playing with a new quarterback and an offensive line did not help him in 2019. Yet, if Rice was that good of a talent he would have found ways to get open.
He did not and it took nearly the second half of his senior year to start showing up and making plays. That inconsistency is something NFL teams do not want to see.
Draft Projection
A slim chance of being a seventh-round pick but all signs point to being an undrafted signing.
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