The Kansas City Chiefs continue to do their homework on prospects ahead of the 2023 NFL draft.
According to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs are among over 20 teams to have met with or hosted Michigan DT Mazi Smith on a pre-draft visit. Smith was set to visit the Bills on Wednesday and has met with the Bears, Eagles, Cowboys, Cardinals, and Saints. Rapoport says the Chiefs and Steelers met with Smith at Michigan, presumably at their pro day on March 17.
Smith is a true nose tackle that performs best when he’s lined up head over the center. He was the No. 1 player on Bruce Feldman’s 2022 Freaks list, which is no surprise given some of the flashes that he’s put on tape. The 6-foot-3 and 300-pound defensive tackle posted an impressive workout during his pro day, including the bench press (34), vertical jump (29.5) and broad jump (107 inches). He was also a senior co-captain of the Wolverines in 2022.
#Michigan DL Mazi Smith is on a Top 30 visit today with the #Bills today, source said. He's had over 20 meetings or visits with teams, including the #Chiefs and #Steelers meeting with him at Michigan. Among others: #Bears, #Eagles, #Cowboys, #AZCardinals, and #Saints.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 12, 2023
A few reasons that the Chiefs might be taking a pre-draft interest in this player stem from his lack of production at the college level and his off-field issues. Over the past two seasons, he’s managed 85 total tackles, five tackles for loss and just a half sack. As flashy and impactful as some moments on tape are for Smith, he struggles to finish plays at times in the passing game.
As far as the off-field is concerned, Smith was charged with felony weapons possession during the 2022 college football season. He has said that he’s simply being honest with the teams about the situation during the pre-draft process. Kansas City had its own felony weapons possession issues with a former Michigan Wolverine this past season, so it’s understandable why they’d want to get the facts there.
