When NFL teams assemble their draft classes, fans are excited to see if they got any steals or immediate offensive weapons. One thing that most of them do not think about, however, is how teams view the special teams ability of certain draft picks. Many franchises—especially the Kansas City Chiefs—take the possibility of special teams contributions into high regard when deciding on final roster decisions.
Two of the Chiefs’ draft picks from 2025 stand out in one special teams area. Each of Brashard Smith and Nohl Williams has plenty of kick return experience from their college careers. It may not be the top reason for them seeing playing time this upcoming season, yet this is possibly where Smith and Williams can help make an immediate impact throughout their rookie seasons.
With Smith and Williams providing return ability to the Chiefs, what does the current competition look like for Kansas City at returner? How could each of them playing special teams impact the rest of the roster construction, to boot?
Smith, Williams offer similar resume in return game entering NFL
The return resumes of Brashard Smith and Nohl Williams are very similar coming off their college careers. Smith registered 1,295 kick return yards and an average of 24.4 yards per kick return in the NCAA. Meanwhile, Williams was able to tally 651 kick return yards and an average of 24.1 yards per kick return himself. Just over half of those kick return yards for Williams came in his final college season with Cal.
In total, Smith had 53 kick return attempts at the college level. Williams amassed 27 kick return attempts. As punt returners, neither player was used as much in that area. Williams (11) and Smith (5) each saw fewer than 12 punt return attempts as college players. In fact, Williams did not receive a single chance as a punt returner in his final two years at Cal.
Current competition at return spots for Chiefs
Time will tell how many options the Chiefs will ultimately consider at the kick return spots in 2025. But after the draft, both Brashard Smith and Nohl Williams could face minimal competition for those roles. Nikko Remigio had a dynamic finish to the season as the team’s punt and kick returner. He really stood out in the playoffs. But even back on the Christmas Day game against Pittsburgh, he flipped the field against the Steelers in a dominant win.
Remigio will likely have the inside track at those spots again. If Smith and Williams are looking to make it interesting, though, perhaps Carson Steele is the only other name to watch currently. Steele got some select chances as a returner in the preseason and eventually in the regular season on kickoffs.
There may have been some expectation for Xavier Worthy to get some return chances last year, given what he did as a punt returner at Texas. Yet, Kansas City only utilized him on offense as a rookie. In the end, Smith and Williams may only have to beat out one or two names to get chances as returners in 2025.
Smith, Williams can impact roster decisions
It has been known for a while now, that special teams coordinator Dave Toub has a solid impact on the final roster decisions. Keeping guys who are possible special teams aces is a major part of cutting the roster down to 53 guys. All in all, those choices generally turn out to be the correct call, even if fans do not go crazy over them.
How could each of Brashard Smith and Nohl Williams impact roster decisions for key special teamers? Overall, the Chiefs will generally not keep more than four running backs on the initial 53-man roster. If Smith is utilized heavily on special teams, that could create a greater logjam at wide receiver or tight end when deciding how many to keep at each spot.
As for Williams, his ability as a cornerback could be more noticeable in his rookie season. Nonetheless, which defensive backs are kept could be intriguing if Williams gets plenty of special teams reps in 2025. And depending on how many defensive backs Kansas City keeps, the number of defensive linemen on the roster could be affected as well.
