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WR Sidney Rice, Minnesota Vikings

HT: 6-2, WT: 200, Born: 9-1-1986, College: South Carolina, Drafted: Round 2

2008 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of June 28th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: J Norwood (108), M Schaub (109), Sidney Rice (110), V Jackson (111), O Daniels (112)
Position: D Mason (105-WR39), J Porter (106-WR40), Sidney Rice (110 - WR41), V Jackson (111-WR42), N Burleson (113-WR43)
Click here for a comparison of these players.

Best Case

Sidney Rice certainly had a productive rookie season, and could be motivated by the Bernard Berrian signing to show the team they made an unnecessary move. After all, Rice was obviously drafted with the intention of making him the team's top option in the passing game. He didn't do anything his rookie year to suggest he couldn't be that guy. If Rice performs at his immense potential, there's a possibility that his game will be too good to avoid him and he'll surpass Berrian as the team's top option.

Worst Case

Berrian steps in as the number one receiver the team thinks he is, and takes all of the meaningful targets in the receiving game. Rice has got the talent, and a borderline first round pedigree, but none of that matters if he doesn't see the ball enough. The Vikings didn't give Berrian all that money so he could be the team's second option, and the team doesn't throw the ball enough to have two valuable wideouts.

Outlook

Rice certainly has the talent to join the top receivers in the league, but it's the opportunities that could prevent him from becoming one just yet. The 2007 Vikings threw the ball less than any other team in the NFL. With Bernard Berrian now in town, Rice may not get a chance to be the team's top receiving option unless injuries strike or he plays out of this world. If anything happens to Berrian, injury-wise, Rice would be in a prime position to excel as the team's number one -- that is, if he is ready to be the player he was drafted to be.

Relevant Articles

Why he is undervalued

Marc Faletti - It isn't often a rising star at WR is mired in the 40s of his position's rankings, but that's what having Tarvaris Jackson at QB will do for you. Yes, they signed Berrian as a deep threat, but Rice has amazing body control in the red zone, good chemistry with his (shaky) QB, and single coverage on more than 80% of his snaps. That looks like a sleeper recipe to me.

Andy Hicks - Sidney Rice is one of those guys you'll kick yourself for not drafting. You know, the kind of guy that flashes big play potential in his rookie season only to explode the next year - Brandon Marshall and Greg Jennings to give the best examples. Don't expect Rice to become a fantasy WR1 this year, but expect him to solidly outperform his draft slot.

Why he is overvalued

David Yudkin - I'm not a huge Tarvaris Jackson fan, as he couldn't even muster 2,000 passing yards last season. But somehow the Vikings are expected to have both Bernard Berrian and Sidney Rice rank in the Top 40? I don't see the math working out for Rice in this case, so he gets my vote as being ranked too high on the WR food chain.

2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Rice finished with just ten yards on two receptions. Tarvaris Jackson looked his way early on the first series, but on a third and six, Rice ran only a four yard pattern. He did convert a short third down gaining six yards on a pass over the middle. Rice was also targeted on a deeper pass up the sideline, but was unable to keep his feet in bounds.

Week 3 - Rice was targeted frequently early in the game, and appeared to be who Holcomb looked for on third downs. His first catch was on a third and eight, going for ten yards at the sideline. Rice was targeted on the next Vikings third down, running a comeback route, but Holcomb overthrew him. In the second quarter, Holcomb threw his way again on a third and eight, but misfired again. Rice's next target was again on a third down in the third quarter, converting for 11 yards. His final target was in the fourth quarter, on a third and seven, but was unable to make the play.

Week 4 - Rice was the most targeted receiver for Holcomb on the afternoon and has started to assert himself as a reliable third down receiver. Rice was targeted deep twice early in the game, but Holcomb failed to hit him both times. Rice then asserted himself on third down, making two big third down conversions. Rice best play of the game was his first touchdown reception of his young career, jumping high in the end zone and reaching over the defensive back for the grab.

Week 6 - Rice tantalized Vikings fans with a tremendous catch, showing very strong hands on a ball most would not have caught, however had just dropped a ball that hit him square in the hands minutes earlier.

Week 8 - Rice did not start the game, but was second among Vikings wide receivers with three receptions.

Week 9 - Rice used a gorgeous double move to beat veteran CB Drayton Florence for a 40 yard touchdown bomb midway through the third quarter that turned out to be the game winning score. Rice added three other catches totaling 26 yards on the afternoon, but it was the deep ball that really made his mark on the game. It was very close to not even being a score, as Rice's momentum after the catch was carrying him towards the sideline. He nearly stepped out of bounds twice inside the ten yard line, and eventually decided to dive and leap for the goal line from about five yards out to ensure he stayed inbounds.

Week 11 - Rice's initial contribution came on a play in which he was not the receiver of a pass. On the first offensive play of the game for the Vikings, Rice took a reverse pitch from RB Chester Taylor and hit TE Visanthe Shiancoe for a 79 catch and run. The coaching staff must have been impressed with his arm because they gave him another passing attempt in the third quarter that he was able to complete to WR Troy Williamson. Rice was the intended target in the end zone on Tarvaris Jackson's only interception.

Week 12 - Rice's biggest play of the day was on the Vikings second play from scrimmage. Rice had single coverage and ran deep up the sideline. Tarvaris Jackson was able to put the ball on the money and Rice beat his man and took it for a 60 yard touchdown. Rice's next target was a third down, and Rice was running a pattern towards the sideline. Jackson was hit as he threw and the ball sailed out of bounds. A few series later, Rice made his second reception on a deep curl for thirteen yards. Rice last look was later in that same drive, Rice ran a quick out then turned it up field making a nice move diving for the first down. Rice did not get a look the entire rest of the game, but the score was well out of reach and the Vikings spent most of the rest of the game with the ball on the ground.

Week 13 - Rice continued to assert himself as a key component in the Vikings passing offense. Rice again was a factor on converting on third down receptions. He also made a great leaping catch in the end zone for a touchdown. It also appeared that Jackson and Rice have improved their chemistry, as displayed on one pass up the sideline where Jackson threw behind a well covered Rice, allowing Rice to stop his route and make the catch with the defender continuing up the sideline.

Week 14 - Rice had a quiet day, pulling in just two of the 4 balls thrown his way. His first was on the Vikings second play of the game, on a deep in route with Jackson making a nice throw on target for 12 yards. His only other reception was later in the first half, on a third and seven, Rice ran a shallow crossing route and Jackson hit him and Rice was able to turn up field for the first. Rice did not get a look in the second half.

Week 15 - Rice missed connections with Jackson (Jackson's fault) on a second quarter crossing route that could have been a TD. He then hurt his ankle (possible fracture) in the fourth quarter.