Somewhat surprisingly, the Kansas City Chiefs cut ties with Emari Demercado to trim their roster down to 53 players. The former Arizona Cardinals veteran looked like a roster lock earlier this summer and one of their strongest offseason additions, but to no avail.
Slowly but surely, Demercado lost some ground through training camp. Rookie Emmett Johnson looked like the team's next big steal at the position, and Brashard Smith, who seemed to be the odd man out, ultimately secured his spot on the roster.
That hints at big offseason growth from the second-year Smith. He wasn't much of a factor in his rookie season, but it looks like the Chiefs like his dual-threat skill set and his outlook under Eric Bieniemy's tutelage.
Brashard Smith gives the Chiefs a different skill set at running back
A former wide receiver, Smith is clearly the Chiefs' best pass-catching running back. He was used sparingly with Matt Nagy at the helm, but another full training camp in Andy Reid's complex offensive system should work wonders for his development.
Of course, the Chiefs will ride with Kenneth Walker III as the primary ball-carrier. The reigning Super Bowl MVP has a strong chance to be the first 1,000-yard rusher on the team since rookie Kareem Hunt, so there might not be that many touches for other guys.
However, Smith might actually be ahead of Johnson in the pecking order. As high as Coach Reid seemed to rate the rookie, Smith's improved pass protection and reliable hands in the passing game make him a natural fit for a third-down, two-minute offense role.
While not the most physical guy between the tackles, Smith is crafty and elusive. Also, with Patrick Mahomes potentially less mobile early in the season and all the doubts surrounding Josh Simmons and the offensive line, the Chiefs might need to rely on screen passes, checkdowns, and quick-hitters to stay ahead of the chains.
That's where someone like Brashard Smith can do his damage and turn broken plays into big gains. He looked like a bit of an afterthought after a quiet rookie campaign, but he might just be another late bloomer.
For years, the Chiefs have struggled to establish the run and to deploy a balanced offense, but that shouldn't be an issue with a running-game guru like Bieniemy back in town. A strong running game is a quarterback's best friend, and with Mahomes' expertise in the play-action game, Smith might be looking at a breakout campaign.
The setting wasn't ideal for him, but he averaged just 3.4 yards per carry and had 44 rushes for 151 yards as a rookie, adding 25 catches for 173 yards and one touchdown. The bar is low, but those numbers should go way up in 2026.
Add us as a preferred source on Google