Sidney Rice was just 20 years old when he entered the 2007 NFL draft after completing his sophomore season at the University of South Carolina. As a redshirt freshman, Rice was a consensus first-team All-SEC performer and Freshman All-American, while catching 70 passes for 1143 yards and 13 touchdowns and leading the SEC in receiving. After another great season in 2006, Rice held the Gamecock career records for receiving yards and touchdowns...
Of course, Rice played for Steve Spurrier at South Carolina, and inevitably, questions were posed leading up to the 2007 draft regarding Rice’s ability to produce outside of Spurrier’s Fun ‘n’ Gun offense. The track record of Spurrier’s receivers has been something far less than stellar, so despite outstanding size (6’4”, 202 lbs.) and a comparatively solid 40-yard dash (4.51), Rice ultimately slipped into the second-round where the Minnesota Vikings took him with the forty-fourth overall pick.
Rice’s young professional career has been a series of disappointments, many of which have been beyond his control. No seasoned fantasy owner expects much out of a rookie receiver, and by many standards, Rice’s first year was a modest success. Despite playing with quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, Rice managed to catch 31 passes for 396 yards and four touchdowns. More important than the raw statistics was Rice’s acrobatic presence, displaying impressive body control that can otherwise hamper large receivers.
Unfortunately, the Vikings didn’t see enough from Rice in his rookie season to believe that he was ready to be their top receiver, and the team aggressively pursued and signed receiver Bernard Berrian away from the division rival Chicago Bears. Ideally, Berrian’s elite speed would pair with Rice’s size and possession skills to make a formidable combination that would ease the pressure on their underwhelming and underdeveloped quarterback.
That didn’t happen. Jackson made no strides as a passer, and Berrian’s big-play ability was severely limited (truly shocking considering his successful seasons in Chicago). Rice, however, was the most disappointing of all. He injured his knee in Week 2 and never fully recovered, catching just 15 passes despite appearing in 13 games. He again caught four touchdowns, three of them in the red-zone, but the ability to create separation in the open field that he displayed in his rookie season was noticeably absent in 2008.
Coming off such a disastrous campaign, Rice won’t garner much consideration in fantasy circles on draft day and absolutely shouldn’t unless the Vikings improve their quarterback situation, perhaps through the addition of Matt Cassel (though, will they really be willing to make another major deal for a franchised player after dealing two first-round picks to acquire defensive end Jared Allen last year? Rolling the dice on Michael Vick will certainly be more affordable…).
Don’t confuse Rice with former Vikings’ bust and fellow South Carolina product Troy Williamson, however. While Williamson was all speed and little substance, Rice has the physical tools, hands and polish to ultimately become a refined receiver with home-run potential. Outside of the deepest leagues, he’s probably not even worth drafting in the late rounds, but he’s certainly worth watching. A shot of confidence may be all he needs to pick up where he left off in 2007.
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