With the 2023 NFL Draft just a few weeks away, the Kansas City Chiefs have scheduled another visit with a potential draft pick.
According to Ian Rapoport, former South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith will visit Kansas City. The 22-year-old Blythewood, South Carolina native racked up six interceptions and 18 passes defended in four collegiate seasons with the Gamecock. Prior to the college football season, Smith was projected by many analysts to be a first-round pick and is now expected to be selected in the back half of the first round, or the beginning of the second round at the very latest.
At the 2023 NFL Combine, Cam Smith recorded a 4.43-second 40-yard dash (1.49 10-yard split), 38″ vertical jump, and 11’2″ broad jump. He also measured in at 6’1″ in height, 180 pounds, 31 5/8’’ arm length, and 9 1/8″ hand size. At the South Carolina Pro day, he came in at 6’0 5/8″ in height, 183 pounds, and 76.5″ wingspan.
This is an interesting visit for the Chiefs since Cam Smith plays cornerback, a position that Kansas City used three draft picks on last year, including the 21st overall pick. Cornerback is seen as an area of strength for the team and the fact they are taking a serious look at a potential first-rounder at the position could signal that the team isn’t confident about contract negotiations with L’Jarius Sneed.
It could also mean the Chiefs view him as a safety in the NFL, which they could use due to the departure of Juan Thornhill in free agency and since Mike Edwards is only signed to a 1-year deal. Although Smith is widely viewed as a boundary cornerback, it wouldn’t be unprecedented for the Chiefs to unexpectedly have a player switch positions. Just a few weeks ago, the Chiefs signed Jawaan Taylor to play left tackle, even though he has been almost exclusively a right tackle since beginning his college career.
The team may also have Smith as a premium prospect and it’s almost never a bad idea to add premium players to the roster, especially at a position as important as cornerback.
Drafting Smith would give the Chiefs flexibility to play Trent McDuffie on the outside or in the slot and allow Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson to maintain roles as quality depth players. He could also serve as L’Jarius Sneed’s replacement if either party decides to move on after the 2023 season.
Although Cam Smith is a great prospect, I’m not sure the fit is there as McDuffie, Williams, and Watson all had great rookie seasons and are all signed through at least the 2025 season. The Chiefs likely have bigger fish to fry and would be best served to address another position in the first round of the draft.