In the 2021 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected center Josh Myers just one pick before center Creed Humphrey came off the board to the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round. Humphrey is now an All-Pro, Myers is an average starter.
Two years later, the Packers appear to have avoided a similar scenario in the second round at the wide receiver position.
With the 50th pick in the 2023 draft, the Packers selected receiver Jayden Reed. Five picks later, the Chiefs took Rashee Rice at No. 55. While Rice checked every box the Packers look for at wide receiver, general manager Brian Gutekunst passed on Rice and took Reed after trading down twice.
It’s safe to say both teams are happy about how the middle of the second round played out. Both Reed and Rice have been rookie playmakers for their respective teams ahead of Sunday night’s showdown between the Packers and Chiefs at Lambeau Field.
Reed and Rice each have 55 targets this season. Rice has 44 catches for 527 yards and five scores. Reed has 36 catches for 497 yards and five scores. They are tied for third among rookie receivers in touchdown catches, and both rank in the top 10 in yards per route run and yard per target among rookies.
In terms of yards from scrimmage, Reed ranks fourth among rookie receivers; Rice ranks seventh. Only three rookies have more total touchdowns than Reed’s six.
While Reed has been a versatile deep threat, who can just as easily take a handoff for 20 yards as catch a pass downfield for 30 yards, Rice has been a monster after the catch. Per PFF, Rice has 356 yards after the catch and averages 8.1 yards after the catch. His average depth of target is just 5.5 yards; Reed is averaging 11.5 yards of depth per target.
Jordan Love has a passer rating of 117.0 when targeting Reed. Chiefs quarterbacks have a passer rating of 129.3 when targeting Rice.
Reed has 80 or more total yards in three of the last four games. Rice is coming off his best game — an 8-catch, 107-yard performance against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Which second-round receiver will steal the spotlight on Sunday night?
The Packers must tackle Rice after short passes. More and more, he’s earning the confidence of Patrick Mahomes with big plays, like the win-sealing touchdown Rice created last week in Las Vegas.
Reed’s playing status is murky. He missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a lingering chest injury but could still play through the issue on Sunday night.