Kansas City Chiefs: Potential tight end prospects in 2019 NFL Draft
By John McCarty
TIGHT END DRAFT PROSPECTS – IRV SMITH JR. (ALABAMA)
After T.J. Hockenson of Iowa, perhaps no player at the tight end position is more ideally suited for the Chiefs than the Crimson Tide product Irv Smith Jr.
Not as explosive or as fast as Iowa’s Fant, Smith runs excellent routes, has strong hands, has experience lining up in the slot, inline as well as out of the backfield. He is the son of a former NFL tight end, as his father, Irv Smith, was a first round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 1993.
Junior is also an excellent blocker. Coming from Alabama, he has spent his fair share of time run blocking both in line along the line of scrimmage, but also has experience in the open field, as Alabama opened up their offense more in his last year at Alabama then previously.
If the Chiefs trade down in the draft to the top of the second round (ideal), Smith is a player the Chiefs should at the very minimum consider. Smith is an ideal player as an early draft entry to spend a season acclimating to the league as a backup and then taking over for Kelce as the starter in 2020.
If the Chiefs are able to add a starter or two on defense through free agency, adding a tight end able to replace Kelce after 2019 becomes a priority.