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Kansas City Chiefs head coach, Andy Reid at OTAs. May 29, 2025.
The Kansas City Chiefs‘ offensive line has a nice new glow after the additions of tackles Josh Simmons; who the team selected with the 31st overall pick in April’s draft; and free agent acquisition, Jaylon Moore – despite trading All-Pro guard, Joe Thuney, to the Bears in March.
However, the bigger improvements have come in the skill positions. Yet, this is not due to an influx of offensive weaponry. Rather, the return of receivers, Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice, and running back, Isiah Pacheco, who should hopefully have a full season ahead of him.
What Could Be The Difference Makers For The Chiefs Offense This Season
And Bleacher Report believes there could be more hidden improvements hiding in the Chiefs’ depth chart in the form of seventh round rookie running back, Brashard Smith, who was predicted to be by ESPN the Chiefs’ biggest ‘surprise’ player of this upcoming season.
“Judging from how he was utilized in offseason practices,” Adam Teicher writes, “the Chiefs have plans for Smith, a seventh-round draft pick out of SMU. Smith was a wide receiver in college before moving to running back for his final season, and the Chiefs showcased his versatility by getting him the ball out of the backfield, from the slot and split out wide. Smith ran a 4.39 40 at the combine, so he will fit in with a group of other fast skill players, including Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown and Elijah Mitchell.”
Brashard Smith Tipped To Make An Unexpected Impact In Year?
Brashard Smith will start the season at best as the RB3 for the team, behind Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco. Indeed, it would not be shocking to see him end up as the fourth option on the depth chart behind offseason recruit from the San Francisco 49ers, Elijah Mitchell.
NFL Draft Buzz had some positive thoughts about Smith in his pre-draft scouting report, detailing his ability in both the run and passing game.
“The burst, acceleration, and natural pass-catching traits show Day 2 potential in a spread-based attack. Inside zone and duo concepts maximize his one-cut ability, while his receiver background creates legitimate flex matchups from empty sets. His kick return prowess adds legitimate four-down value during early career development.
Best schematic fit comes in a timing-based offense featuring angle routes, swing passes, and designed space plays. Gap-scheme runs allowing him to hit the hole at full speed cover for current vision limitations between the tackles. Zone-heavy systems featuring RPOs and quick screens will maximize his ability to operate in space while minimizing exposure to power situations.”
Smith did not do much in college at SMU up until his fourth year, where he posted 1332 yards on 235 attempts, for an impressive 5.7 yards/carry over the course of 14 games. He also added 39 receptions to the tune of 327 receiving yards that same year.
Perhaps had Smith had another season to prove his ability as a starter, given he had less than 20 rushing attempts prior to last year, he would have been a much higher draft pick.
As he is, he will struggle to many touches as a running back – but as Teicher writes, a large chunk of his rookie year production may come as a pass catcher dual weapon, rather than just a traditional RB.
Daniel Arwas Daniel Arwas is a sports writer who covers the NFL for Heavy.com. Daniel began his career in sports writing in 2022 and has covered the NFL and college football for Gridiron Heroics and The Hammer. More about Daniel Arwas
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