It’s the season for pre-draft visits and private workouts for NFL teams.
From March 7 through April 19, NFL teams are permitted to host draft-eligible prospects at their facilities on what is called a top-30 visit. The name of the visit is a bit of a misnomer as many people think it refers to draft status. It simply refers to the 30 allotted pre-draft visits that teams are allowed each year.
Teams can use these 30 visits on whichever draft-eligible players they want. Some teams will use it on high-value targets who could be selected in the first round. Other teams prioritize players who might not be drafted at all. There are even teams who use these visits strategically to feign interest in the public eye.
What exactly goes on during top-30 visits, though? Prospects have an opportunity to meet with coaching staff members, front office executives and tour the team facilities. Some players who dealt with injuries during college will undergo a medical evaluation with team physicians and trainers. This was key for the Kansas City Chiefs eventually drafting a player like Trey Smith, who dealt with a blood-clotting issue in college.
Teams will often go over a player’s game film with them in order to try and get a better understanding of their football knowledge and how they study the game. From a general point of view, teams often want to just spend some time getting to know the person behind the player. It helps craft an idea of how they’d fit into the team culture and within their local community.
Private workouts are a separate distinction from top-30 visits. These are when scouts or coaches schedule an on-field workout with a player, usually at a player’s school or a pre-determined location. They’re allowed to put prospects through pro-day timing events or have them participate in various football exercises and drills, simulating what might take place in practice or on game day. These typically happen for Kansas City when the team misses out on a pro day or doesn’t have testing information on a player.
Really, both private workouts and top-30 visits are just another tool for NFL teams to gather more information on prospects. That information could help solidify a player’s place on the team’s draft board or it could see them removed from it altogether.
The Chiefs have already scheduled or completed several visits with a number of prospects. They haven’t had any reported private workouts yet, but if they do in the future, we’ll make note of it. Below you’ll find a list of the prospects who have been in or will travel to Kansas City for top-30 visits, which we’ll keep up to date leading up to the draft:
Western Kentucky CB Kahlef Hailassie
A physical cornerback prospect who transferred from the University of Oregon, Hailassie is projected as a Day 3 draft pick or priority free agent in what is considered a deep cornerback class. He certainly could be a player that the Chiefs target to help solidify their depth at the position in 2023.
TCU WR Quentin Johnston
Most either rank Johnston or Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the top receiver prospect in the 2023 NFL draft. The 6-foot-3 and 208-pound wideout is coming off a career year with TCU despite dealing with an ankle injury late in the year.
SMU WR Rashee Rice
An intriguing receiver from Clark Hunt’s alma mater, Rice played two seasons at SMU with Chiefs backup QB Shane Buechele. This past year he hit career-high marks despite dealing with a toe injury.
South Carolina CB Cam Smith
Could we see the Chiefs select a cornerback in the first round for the second year in a row? That’d be surprising given the depth of talent they currently have at the position. Smith is considered to be one of the top cornerbacks in a loaded class.
Tennessee OT Darnell Wright
A rising offensive tackle prospect who previously played beside Trey Smith at Tennessee? Sign Chiefs Kingdom all the way up for this one.
UNM S Jerrick Reed II
The Lobos haven’t had a defensive back prospect this good since Glover Quin was selected in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL draft. He can play a variety of different positions, including nickel corner, which should benefit him during the pre-draft process.
Stephen F. Austin EDGE BJ Thompson
Thompson is a bit undersized given what Steve Spagnuolo typically likes at the edge rusher position. He’s got the height (6-foot-5), but he’s a little light in the pants at 240 pounds. His athletic testing and production at the FCS level rival some of the top pass rushers in this class, though.
Western Kentucky DT Brodric Martin
A two-down, run-stuffing defensive tackle is exactly what the Chiefs need in the defensive line room. Martin provides an immovable force in the run game, who could play true nose tackle for Kansas City.
Pittsburgh EDGE Deslin Alexandre
The first top-30 visit reported for the Chiefs this cycle, Alexandre is a leader first and foremost. His production on the field over his five-year career at Pitt is an added benefit.
