Chiefs set up visit with promising SEC defender
The Kansas City Chiefs will reportedly bring in one of the top players from the SEC for a pre-draft visit. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith is set to visit the Chiefs this week. Smith is a projected first-round draft pick who likely won't fall to Kansas City at No. […]
The Kansas City Chiefs will reportedly bring in one of the top players from the SEC for a pre-draft visit.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith is set to visit the Chiefs this week.
Smith is a projected first-round draft pick who likely won't fall to Kansas City at No. 31.
Of course, we don't know for sure where Smith will be drafted. And if he does somehow fall to Kansas City at No. 31, the Chiefs want to know as much as possible about the promising young cornerback.
Here's the draft profile on Smith via NFL.com's Lance Zierlein: Long outside cornerback with instinctive eyes and the ball skills to consistently close on throws when in position. Smith lacks fluidity and acceleration to consistently press and run with speedy downfield targets. Also, he gives ground in his lateral transitions. However, he’s highly anticipatory with the vision and route recognition to shine from coverages allowing him to play with his eyes and feet forward. While his timing/length can be formidable weapons on contested catches, he often fails to move his feet quickly enough in transitions and ends up grabbing receivers, leading to penalties. Smith appears to be better suited for zone coverages and off-man but if he can trust his technique, he might become more scheme-diverse and develop into a CB2.
You can never have too many cornerbacks in the NFL. Smith isn't a perfect cornerback prospect — he needs to be better against the run and he has to cut down on penalties at the next level — but his natural abilities give him a chance to be a special player in the NFL.
The Chiefs might not see cornerback as their top priority in the draft, but it would be tough to pass on Smith if he falls to Kansas City at No. 31.
