Kaden Smith’s stock as a draft prospect dropped at the NFL Scouting Combine when he ran the second-slowest 40 time among all tight ends.
The 49ers ended his fall on the third day of the NFL draft when they selected Smith with the first of their three sixth-round draft picks.
Shortly thereafter, 49ers tight end George Kittle, who set the NFL single-season record for tight ends last season with 1,377 receiving yards, reached out to welcome Smith to the organization.
“Right after I got drafted, he texted me: ‘Good luck. He’s happy I’m on the team,’” Smith said of Kittle.