Chiefs select SMU WR Rashee Rice at No. 55

The defending Super Bowl champions moved up in the second round. The Lions allowed the Chiefs to vault to No. 55, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweeted.

Detroit picked up Nos. 63, 122, 249 from Kansas City; in addition to No. 55, the Lions sent No. 194 to the Chiefs. After attempting to move up in Round 1, the Chiefs will climb in their home draft Friday.

With the new selection, the Chiefs took SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice. A Danny Gray teammate at SMU, Rice spent four seasons as a contributor for the Mustangs. With Gray in San Francisco, Rice stepped up to deliver his best work as a senior. He caught 96 passes for 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Chiefs did extensive work on this year’s first-round crop of wideouts and discussed moving up with the Vikings on Thursday night. But Kansas City stayed at No. 31. Now, the team is moving to help fill the voids created by the exits of JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman.

Kansas City showed an ability to remain productive without Tyreek Hill in 2022, leading the league in passing, total and scoring offense. That leaves reason for optimism in their potential to carry on next season, and Rice will have a role in the team’s diverse passing scheme.

The Chiefs have only made one free agent addition at the WR spot so far (Richie James). Rice certainly won’t preclude a move for another veteran following the draft, but Rice represents another young addition to their pass-catching room. Former Giants first-rounder Kadarius Toney, along with 2022 second-rounder Skyy Moore, are set for large roles moving forward. Rice will join those as he looks to aid another Super Bowl run.