Chiefs hosting under-the-radar 2025 NFL draft prospect who could be Kansas City's next hidden gem at cornerback

Smith Jr. was invited to the 2025 Reece's Senior Bowl, where he had an underrated performance. He wasn't invited to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, but he turned heads during his pro day with a reported 4.38s 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical jump per Fowler.

What is a top 30 visit?

The top 30 visit moniker does not indicate where a player will be drafted. NFL clubs are allotted 30 pre-draft visits with prospects in upcoming draft classes, during which they can bring prospects to team facilities. The players have a chance to meet with team staff, tour facilities, and so on, but they won't undergo any workouts or athletic testing

The Chiefs often use their visits in several different ways. They often bring in players who are expected to be undrafted free agents to impress upon them that Kansas City is the place to be. They also bring in players who are expected to be drafted, even some within the top 100 picks. Over the past few seasons, Kansas City hosted several players on top 30 visits that they ended up drafting, including Rashee Rice, BJ Thompson, Kingsley Suamataia, & more. 

How does Southern Arkansas CB Melvin Smith Jr. fit with the Chiefs?

The Chiefs want to reinforce their depth in the defensive secondary, knowing that if they pick up a player on a one-year developmental track, they'll be in really good shape. Remember that the entire cornerback group outside of Kristian Fulton (Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Nazeeh Johnson, etc.) are free agents in 2026. 

At 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, Smith Jr. is probably slightly undersized by NFL standards to play the outside cornerback position, but he could certainly be the type to eat some snaps in the slot in Kansas City. He's clearly got the speed and has already proven that he can compete with the best this draft class has to offer at the Senior Bowl. 

Where he could make his money for the Chiefs in 2025 is on Dave Toub's special teams unit as a kick return specialist. In four years with the Muleriders, Smith Jr. has 25 career kick returns for 532 yards, including a 99-yard kick return touchdown in 2024.