Stanford Football: How did Kaden Smith drop so far in 2019 NFL Draft?

Stanford football watched as Kaden Smith fell to the No. 176 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft to the San Francisco 49ers. Why did he drop?

The NFL draft was progressing with a big name still on the board. Stanford’s Kaden Smith, one of the nation’s top tight ends, had yet to be selected, but there were some doubts about his athleticism, so he kept sliding.

Smith slid all the way to the third pick of the sixth round to the 49ers who have an elite tight end already in George Kittle who, too, is from a program that develops the positions as good as any in college football: Iowa.

There’s no doubt that Kittle will be the starting tight end for as long as he’s in San Francisco, but adding a complementary piece like Smith.

Why did Smith drop so far in the draft after catching 47 passes for 635 yards and two touchdowns in 2018? Todd McShay and Co. claim it was because he didn’t have enough speed to wow scouts throughout the draft process. He’s more of a catch in traffic tight end than one who can run quick routes and burn linebackers down the field. He’s a physical pass-catcher.

San Francisco found another solid tight end who could surprise some people and become one of those consistent contributors and maybe play himself into a trade to a team looking for a starter at the position.

Smith was one of the more forgotten names at tight end throughout the draft process, but he has an incredibly high ceiling. Will his lack of speed hold him back? We’ll find out, but he’s as tough and gritty as any player at the position in this year’s class.