UCLA Defensive Tackle Gary Smith III Could Be Ultimate Chiefs' Sleeper

Kansas City's defensive line was a major disappointment in 2025 and needs reinforcements in the interior and on the edge.

Oct 29, 2022; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Laiatu Latu (15) and defensive lineman Gary Smith III (58) celebrate after a sack of Stanford Cardinal quarterback Tanner McKee (18) in the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

It will be a complex offseason for the Kansas City Chiefs to navigate through, as they have several areas of improvement that need to be addressed via free agency and/or the draft.

Defensive line is one of the main position groups Kansas City's front office must consider this offseason, and adding talent in that department may have to come in the draft, with not many options on the free agent market.

UCLA Bruins' defensive tackle Gary Smith III has been a prospect the Chiefs have kept on tabs throughout the pre-draft process. The 6-foot-1, 319-pound defensive tackle spoke with reporters on Wednesday at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.

Watch Smith Speak from the Combine

Smith on What He Can Offer for an NFL Team

Sep 16, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; North Carolina Central Eagles running back J'Mari Taylor (4) runs the ball against UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Gary Smith III (58) during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

• "I'm just going to make sure I do everything right, as far as being consistent in what I do [in terms of] hand placement, stuff like that," Smith told reporters on Wednesday. "My upside with my pass rush, anything I can improve on, I will improve on."

• "If a team drafts me, they're going to get a guy who comes into work every day," Smith said of how a team will benefit by drafting him. "A tone setter. A guy who is going to, from the first day he gets there, he's going to be the best he be, and help the team win."

Players Smith Models His Game After

Nov 11, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils running back Cameron Skattebo (4) runs against UCLA Bruins defensive back Alex Johnson (36) and defensive lineman Gary Smith III (58) during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Alex Gallardo-Imagn Images | Alex Gallardo-Imagn Images

• "I would say guys like Kenny Clark, a guy who came before me, also a Bruin," Smith told reporters. "I would also say D.J. Reader, a guy very [good] and versatile [against the run] and the pass. Then I would say Vita Vea because his coach was my coach as well, and great ball player. [I'm] just trying to take different pieces of their game and be the best I can be."

Dealing With Adversity

• "It was definitely difficult," Smith said of dealing with an injury late in his college career. "Just knowing that I'm prepared for moments like this. I've been in dark time before that injury, before football. So, just know I have the ability to be bounce back from stuff like that, and definitely lean on God and my family during that time was a big one for me."

Teams Smith Has Met With

• "I had conversations with the [Houston] Texans, the [Green Bay] Packers, the [Kansas City] Chiefs, the [Baltimore] Ravens," Smith said. "I've had good conversations with a lot of different teams."

For more insight and breaking news on the Kansas City Chiefs, go register for our FREE newsletter -- an email with all the latest news each morning … SIGN UP HERE NOW.