NFL Teams Should Look To The Past To Find Their Future Stars

NFL teams are always looking for the next big steal of the offseason. Over the last few years, it turned out to be players like; Brock Purdy, Puka Nacua, Jayden Reed, Kyren Williams, and others who were drafted late and performed tremendously for the teams that took the shots on them.

Who could be the next batch of late day two or day three prospects that will make an incredible impact on the NFL? Two names come to mind as possible first-year contributors, and they just so happen to be related to some of the biggest stars in NFL history.

Brendan Rice, WR USC

Brendan Rice is a big physical, has sub-4.4 speed, and can be a solid to top piece in a passing attack, depending on his development. He is elite on the boundary due to great awareness and body control.

"Rice has all the raw tools that are required for the position. While he needs to polish some technical aspects of his game, his ceiling is high. 2023 will be massive for Rice - with a quality year at USC, he has the potential to get the attention of scouts. Currently, he's not being talked about as a top-level draftable pro player - but come around April 2024 don't be surprised if he's in the mix." NFLDraftBuzz.com

Rice isn't just a deep threat or field stretcher. He has a great ability to create with the ball in his hands due to his speed and vision. His size makes him hard to tackle when he has a head of steam. He could be more fluid with his route running, but his release is sometimes hampered due to his tendency to play around at the line of scrimmage rather than using his raw speed.

Brendan Rice probably won't become the greatest wide receiver ever to play the game like his dad, but there is a strong chance that he can be a top 15 type player if drafted into the right system and used properly. He has minimal deficiencies and a lot of potential for it. The tea who drafts him will have gotten a stud for a great price.

Luke McCaffery, WR Rice

Since Rice played with Caleb Williams and USC, I'm assuming many more people have seen him play, but after watching Luke's tape, this kid is electric. He can make plays at any level of the field. I believe that some scouts will peg him as only a slot option, but he can stretch the field, make contested catches, and be used as an extension of and in the run game.

He understands weak spots in zone coverages, has a great jump off the line of scrimmage, and his footwork and route running are impeccable. McCaffery isn't his brother Christian, but he still has moves and can make people miss. Playing at Rice, he didn't see the greatest of competition, which can knock him down boards.

"McCaffrey accelerates quickly and possesses good straight-line speed. He shows solid ball-tracking skills and body control downfield, able to adjust to the off-target throw. Often used on deep routes, getting separation down the sideline or over the middle on crossing routes by extending his arms rather than pure speed. He also proved to be a force in catch-and-run situations. A violent runner who transitions upfield quickly after the catch, McCaffrey has the speed to pick up chunks of yardage once he’s broken the first tackle." NFLDraftBuzz.com

He just doesn't have enough production to be a top-100 pick, but that doesn't mean he won't be an extremely successful player in the NFL.

End Of Rant

If your team is in the market for an offensive playmaker but has other needs earlier in the draft, these two legacy wide receivers could greatly boost any NFL team. Rice and McCaffery will be impactful players in the league. It's just a matter of what team they are playing for. A year from now, we will be talking about these two and their breakout season.

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