Tremon Smith is first drafted rookie to sign with Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs have officially signed the very first member of their recent draft class: sixth round pick cornerback Tremon Smith.

Given the rookie slotting system for all new contracts (thanks to the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement), there’s really not much drama when it comes to draftees signing with their respective teams. Perhaps a holdout might occasionally occur with regards to offset language for some first round players (a la Joey Bosa two years ago), but for the most part, the signing of rookies comes quickly and quietly throughout the first several weeks of the offseason post-draft.

For the Kansas City Chiefs, the signing period has already started with the news that Tremon Smith, the team’s sixth round choice, has signed his rookie contract. Smith was a small-school prospect out of Central Arkansas who faces a tall order in adjusting to life at the pro level. Fortunately he’s already earning rave reviews out of the team’s rookie minicamp over the weekend.

Smith had 41 tackles and 5 interceptions last year and was named third-team FCS All-American. He was also a three-time first-team All-Southland conference pick.

Smith’s emergence comes at a great time for the Chiefs, who are fairly thin in the secondary at cornerback. Kendall Fuller, Steven Nelson and David Amerson are the experienced core at this point, as the Chiefs have washed their hands of several former players including Pro Bowler Marcus Peters. Fuller is also the only other cornerback under contract beyond 2018. If Smith can emerge as a quality depth player (or even more), that will provide some serious help for the Chiefs.