5 tight ends the Vikings could select in the 2019 NFL Draft
By Matt Falk
Kaden Smith (Stanford)
Measurements:
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 255 pounds
2018 Stats:
- 47 catches, 635 yards, 2 touchdowns
Kaden Smith as been one of the tougher tight ends to project this draft season. He seems to be all over the place when it comes to mock drafts. I have seen him anywhere from early in round two all the way to round five, making him quite the wild card.
Smith is definitely one of the more raw tight ends in this class, but there is plenty to love about his game. At 6-foot-5, 253 pounds, he is an instant mismatch in the passing game. He isn’t afraid to use his body to his advantage, going up and making the tough catches you want from a tight end.
In two years at Stanford he racked up 70 receptions for 1,049 yards and seven touchdowns, showing that he can be a force in the passing game.
I would have liked Smith to go back for another year to continue to polish off his route running and blocking. But even where he is now, he has the ability to be a reliable tight end in the NFL.
If the Vikings were to take Smith, he would be walking into a perfect situation. He already has the big body and hands, he just needs time for the rest to come into place.
Who better to learn from than a seasoned veteran like Kyle Rudolph? I think with a little time, he has the talent to be a starting tight end in the NFL.