5 players who could follow Kliff Kingsbury to the Commanders in 2024
By Dean Jones
Commanders could draft Brenden Rice
As previously mentioned, the Washington Commanders could use a few new faces at the wide receiver position. Terry McLaurin remains a core foundational piece. It's too soon to give up on Jahan Dotson despite his down year in 2023. Nobody else - including Dyami Brown - is guaranteed a roster spot as it stands.
The Commanders are in a fortunate position this offseason. They have the league's most salary-cap space. They also have a plethora of high-end draft selections to bolster problem position groups.
Adam Peters made no secret of his desire to build through the draft and supplement with free-agent additions. Couple this with Kliff Kingsbury's knowledge of specific prospects from his time at USC, it puts Brenden Rice firmly under the microscope.
Rice is coming into the league with the biggest shoes imaginable to fill. Of course, he is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver of all time. For his son to choose the same career path in the same position speaks volumes about his character.
There is a lot to like about Rice's athletic attributes. He's physically imposing at 6-foot-3. He knows how to put his lengthy wing span to good use. More importantly, the wideout comes into the league on the back of his finest college campaign, which Kingsbury was part of.
The prospect was one of the Senior Bowl's standout performers. With such a lofty pedigree comes big expectations, but Kingsbury's previous relationship with Rice should allow for a smooth transition in this scenario.