Chargers Rookie Hopes To Surpass NFL Legend In First Season

The Los Angeles Chargers selected wide receiver Brenden Rice in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and the USC product hopes to earn a Day 1 role in the offense. The son of NFL legend Jerry Rice, the rookie joins a relatively open depth chart headlined by Quentin Johnson, Josh Palmer, and rookie Ladd McConkey.

Despite his unremarkable draft capital, Brenden Rice and his father believe he has what it takes to make every team in the league look foolish for passing on him.

“My dad was hot, my dad was hot,” he said. “First words he said were, ‘Time to go to work, I will be with you every step of the way, I will be involved with all your workouts from now on, we’ve got a lot of people to prove wrong.’”

Brenden Rice will naturally draw comparisons to his father, and while nobody expects the son to match his father’s career accomplishments, the rookie thinks he can have a better rookie season than the all-time great.

“I heard his rookie season in the NFL wasn’t good,” Brenden said. “I’ve got to go top him.”

Brenden Rice Has Lofty Goal For Rookie Season

Brenden Rice watches his father’s film, but he should revisit his early tape if he believes Jerry’s rookie season wasn’t good. During the 1985 season, the Marshall product recorded 49 receptions for 927 yards and three touchdowns. While this is nothing compared to what he’d do later in his career, it’s still an impressive debut, especially considering it took place in the run-heavy days of the 1980’s.

Even in today’s NFL, rookie receivers rarely eclipse the 900-yard mark. Fifth-round pick Puka Nacua shattered all expectations with 1,486 receiving yards, but Rashee Rice is the only other player in last year’s class to beat out what Rice did in 1985. Barring something completely unexpected, Brenden Rice will not be able to beat his dad’s rookie numbers for the Chargers.

With that being said, Brenden Rice still has a chance to make an impact for the Los Angeles Chargers. This depth chart could use some help, and it shouldn’t be too hard for Rice to earn a few targets.

Rookie Expectations

Targets are earned in the NFL, but somebody will need to catch the ball in this offense. Quentin Johnston had an atrocious rookie season, and Josh Palmer could be on the way out. Second-round pick Ladd McConkey has a clear path to the top spot in this passing attack, but Brenden Rice could earn a role with a strong offseason.

In addition to Palmer and Johnston, Brenden Rice is battling free agent signee DJ Chark and fellow seventh-round pick Cornelius Johnson for targets. Barring a trade, this will probably be the Chargers depth chart throughout the offseason. Rice will need to put in the work to beat out these players, but it’s not an impossible ask. Nobody should expect a 900-yard season, but the rookie could earn a depth role if he can establish a rapport with Justin Herbert.