Watch: You won't believe who called new Chiefs WR Rashee Rice
Rashee Rice received one of the sweetest calls during the NFL Draft: a two-time league MVP telling him his dream was coming true.
After the Kansas City Chiefs selected Rice at No. 55 overall on Friday, gunslinger Patrick Mahomes phoned in to tell the SMU standout that he would be joining the defending Super Bowl champions to open his pro career.
It was a smart pick for Kansas City, too, because it was time to re-stock at WR after JuJu Smith-Schuster (Patriots) and Mecole Hardman (Jets) left the team in free agency. In 16 games last season, Smith-Schuster had 78 receptions for 933 yards, second-most on the team.
Current Chiefs wide receiver trio Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore doesn't give the team the same offensive firepower they had on their two previous Super Bowl runs. None of those players crossed the 50-reception mark last season.
Since Kansas City missed out on adding a WR during the first round, using their second-rounder on one was the right choice. Rice produced at an elite level during his collegiate career despite the fact that he was not surrounded by immense talent. During his final season at SMU, he caught the fifth-most receptions (96) and recorded the third-most receiving yards (1,355) in the FBS.
Rice may have already developed some chemistry with Mahomes after working out with him in Texas prior to the draft, per the Athletic's Nate Taylor. Giving Mahomes several targets he can trust is critical. It's one of the major keys to Kansas City's budding dynasty.
Mahomes calling Rice is an excellent sign, because it shows he approves of the pick and believes that the 23-year-old wideout can become an offensive playmaker in Kansas City.
More must-reads: