The Kansas City Chiefs have found a potential star in the making with wide receiver Rashee Rice. The rookie started the season slowly but has emerged as quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ favorite weapon down the stretch. However, that shouldn’t stop them from selecting another wideout in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, at least according to Daniel Jeremiah. The NFL draft expert released his first mock draft on Friday, with the AFC West juggernaut selecting North Carolina Tar Heels receiver Devontez Walker with the 29th overall pick.
Mock Draft 1.0https://t.co/c3esweQivi
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 19, 2024
North Carolina Tar Heels WR Devontez Walker: Finished Career in ACC
Walker started his career at North Carolina Central before arriving at Kent State in 2021. He played two seasons with the Golden Flashes. The North Carolina native caught five passes for 124 yards and a touchdown during his first year. However, he took a massive stride forward the following season, snagging 58 passes for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns. After a stellar 2022 campaign and the departure of then-head coach Sean Lewis, the lengthy wideout entered the transfer portal, eventually taking his talents to the North Carolina Tar Heels football program. Walker started the season ineligible, a decision made by the NCAA due to him being a two-time transfer. However, he got reinstated after four games.
Walker appeared in eight games for the Tar Heels, tallying 41 receptions, 699 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. He also ran three times for 23 yards. He finished second in receiving yards despite playing five fewer games than teammate J.J. Jones. Walker’s best game of the season was a loss against the Virginia Cavaliers. Quarterback Drake Maye linked up with Walker 11 times, with them tallying 146 yards and a touchdown. North Carolina has provided the NFL with offensive talent over the past few seasons. Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler and Indianapolis Colts wideout Josh Downs had strong 2023 seasons.
Kansas City Chiefs: Looking for Talent Opposite Standout Rookie
The Kansas City Chiefs have selected a wide receiver in the past three NFL drafts. They whiffed on the first two, with 2021 fifth-round pick Cornell Powell on the practice squad and 2022 second-round pick Skyy Moore registering just 494 receiving yards through his first two seasons. However, the Chiefs hit a home run with this year’s wideout selection.
Kansas City selected SMU product Rashee Rice with the 55th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, and he collected 79 receptions for 938 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie. He caught at least five passes in seven straight games, including eight for 130 yards and a score in his team’s playoff win over the Miami Dolphins last Saturday. Rice has been the only consistent wide receiver weapon for quarterback Patrick Mahomes this season. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, and Kadarius Toney have all made backbreaking mistakes this year.
For More Football News:
Follow me on Twitter at @alec_musa. You can also reach out to me via email at musaalec@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest college and NFL news, click here!