Kaden Smith’s stock as a draft prospect dropped at the NFL Scouting Combine when he ran the second-slowest 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.