Chiefs Bolster Roster with Savvy Day 3 Picks, Hedging Against Rashee Rice Uncertainty

The Kansas City Chiefs, known for their strategic prowess in the NFL Draft, made headlines on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft with a series of calculated selections aimed at strengthening their roster while addressing potential fallout from the ongoing Rashee Rice scandal. With wide receiver Rashee Rice facing legal challenges that could impact his availability, the Chiefs’ front office, led by general manager Brett Veach, used their Day 3 picks to add depth, versatility, and insurance, ensuring the team remains a Super Bowl contender in 2025.

The Rashee Rice Context

Rashee Rice, selected by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, emerged as a key weapon for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, setting an NFL rookie postseason record with 26 receptions during Kansas City’s Super Bowl LVIII run. However, his promising career hit a roadblock in March 2024 when he was involved in a high-speed hit-and-run crash in Dallas. Rice, driving a Lamborghini Urus, allegedly caused a chain-reaction collision and fled the scene, leading to criminal charges. Additionally, a knee injury in Week 4 of the 2024 season, requiring surgery to repair his LCL and hamstring, sidelined him for the remainder of the year. While Rice is expected to recover physically by 2025, the possibility of a suspension looms, prompting the Chiefs to act decisively in the draft.

Day 3 Draft Strategy: Depth and Insurance

On April 26, 2025, the Chiefs entered Day 3 with a clear mission: bolster key positions while adding players who could mitigate the uncertainty surrounding Rice. Their selections—Utah State wide receiver Jalen Royals (Round 4, Pick 133), Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (Round 5, Pick 156), and SMU running back Brashard Smith (Round 7, Pick 228)—reflected a blend of immediate contributors and long-term upside, earning praise for addressing both offensive and defensive needs.

Jalen Royals: A Direct Hedge at Wide Receiver

The Chiefs’ fourth-round selection of Jalen Royals was widely seen as a strategic move to protect against Rice’s potential absence. Royals, a 6-foot, 195-pound speedster from Utah State, brings explosive playmaking ability, having recorded 75 receptions for 1,234 yards and 12 touchdowns in his final college season. His 4.39D speed (4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash) makes him a natural fit for Andy Reid’s high-octane offense, where he can stretch defenses vertically, complementing existing receivers like Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown.

Analysts noted Royals’ ability to win contested catches and his knack for yards after the catch, traits that echo Rice’s skill set. ESPN’s draft expert Matt Miller commented, “Royals isn’t expected to start immediately with Rice, Worthy, and Brown ahead of him, but his special teams upside as a kick returner and his long-term potential make him a steal in Round 4.” This pick provides the Chiefs with a ready-made replacement if Rice faces a suspension, ensuring Mahomes has a reliable target.

Posts on X echoed the sentiment, with @ArrowheadAddict stating, “The Chiefs gain insurance for Rashee Rice (and much more) with their fourth-round pick,” highlighting Royals’ role as a contingency plan. @BaxFootballGuru added, “Chiefs protect themselves from Rashee Rice fallout with smart Day 3 pickup,” emphasizing the pick’s foresight.

Jeffrey Bassa: Defensive Depth with Versatility

In the fifth round, the Chiefs selected Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa, a 6-foot-2, 235-pound defender with sideline-to-sideline range. Bassa’s 92 tackles and 3 interceptions in his senior year showcased his instincts and coverage skills, making him a valuable addition to a linebacker corps led by Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, and Leo Chenal. While Bassa may not see significant defensive snaps as a rookie, his special teams prowess—he blocked two punts at Oregon—ensures he’ll contribute immediately.

The Chiefs’ linebacker group is among the league’s best, but Bassa’s selection adds depth and future-proofing, especially with Tranquill’s contract expiring in 2026. As Arrowhead Pride noted, “Bassa’s athleticism and special teams value make him a low-risk, high-reward pick for a team eyeing a three-peat.” This move indirectly supports the offense by maintaining defensive stability, allowing the Chiefs to focus resources on their high-powered attack.

Brashard Smith: A Dynamic Wildcard

The Chiefs closed Day 3 by selecting SMU running back Brashard Smith in the seventh round, a pick that drew intrigue for its versatility. Smith, a 5-foot-10, 194-pound speedster, ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash and recorded 1,016 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024. His experience as a slot receiver (95 career receptions) makes him a potential gadget player in Reid’s offense, capable of lining up in multiple roles.

Smith’s selection is a nod to the Chiefs’ philosophy of adding explosive athletes who can create mismatches. With Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire handling primary running back duties, Smith’s role could mirror former Chief Mecole Hardman’s as a jet-motion specialist and return man. “Smith’s a Swiss Army knife,” said Chiefs senior reporter Matt McMullen. “He gives Andy Reid another toy to play with.” This pick indirectly hedges against Rice’s absence by adding another pass-catching option, albeit in a different mold.

Mitigating the Rice Scandal’s Impact

The Rice scandal, involving a March 2024 hit-and-run crash, remains a significant concern. Dallas police reports and video evidence suggest Rice and four others fled the scene after causing a multi-vehicle collision, leading to charges that could result in an NFL suspension under the league’s personal conduct policy. While Rice’s rehab from his 2024 knee injury is on track for a 2025 return, a potential multi-game ban could disrupt the Chiefs’ offensive rhythm early in the season.

The Chiefs’ Day 3 picks, particularly Royals and Smith, provide offensive flexibility to weather such a scenario. Royals’ ability to step into Rice’s role as a boundary receiver ensures Mahomes has a target with similar physical traits, while Smith’s multi-dimensional skill set offers Reid creative ways to compensate for Rice’s absence in the passing game. As one X post noted, “If Rice is out, Royals and Smith give the Chiefs options to keep the offense humming.”

Broader Roster Implications

Beyond addressing the Rice situation, these picks align with the Chiefs’ broader goal of sustaining their dynasty. With a veteran-laden roster featuring Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones, Kansas City used Day 3 to inject youth and cost-controlled talent. Royals and Smith, in particular, offer high-upside depth at premium positions, while Bassa strengthens a defense that ranked 4th in points allowed in 2024.

The Chiefs’ draft strategy also reflects confidence in their current wide receiver group—Rice, Worthy, Brown, and JuJu Smith-Schuster—but acknowledges the need for contingency plans. As ESPN’s analysis pointed out, “Royals likely won’t see heavy snaps unless Rice’s situation escalates, but his presence ensures the Chiefs aren’t caught flat-footed.”

Fan and Analyst Reactions

The Chiefs’ Day 3 haul drew widespread praise for its foresight. Fans on X lauded Veach’s ability to balance immediate needs with long-term planning, with one user posting, “Brett Veach is playing 4D chess. Royals and Smith are perfect fits for KC’s offense, especially with Rice’s drama.” Analysts echoed this, with NFL.com’s Chad Reuter giving the Chiefs an A- for their Day 3 selections, citing “smart insurance picks that don’t sacrifice upside.”

Some skepticism emerged regarding Royals’ immediate impact, given the crowded receiver room, but most agreed his skill set mirrors Rice’s closely enough to serve as a plug-and-play option if needed. Bassa’s selection drew fewer headlines but was lauded by defensive-minded analysts for its low-risk value, while Smith’s versatility sparked excitement about potential trick plays in Reid’s playbook.

Looking Ahead

The Chiefs’ Day 3 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft underscore their reputation as one of the NFL’s savviest franchises. By selecting Jalen Royals, Jeffrey Bassa, and Brashard Smith, Kansas City not only fortified its roster but also built a safety net around the Rashee Rice scandal’s potential fallout. With Mahomes at the helm and Reid’s play-calling genius, these additions ensure the Chiefs remain a juggernaut, ready to chase a historic three-peat in 2025.

As the Rice situation unfolds, the Chiefs can rest easy knowing they’ve insulated their offense with versatile, high-potential talent. For now, Chiefs Kingdom celebrates a draft class that blends pragmatism with ambition, setting the stage for another thrilling season in Kansas City.