In February, the Kansas City Chiefs were outclassed by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, which saw the club come up short in their bid to become the first team in NFL history to win three-straight championships.
Part of the Chiefs' struggles against the Eagles were Patrick Mahomes' lack of help along the offensive line and in the weaponry department. With DeAndre Hopkins now with the Baltimore Ravens and Travis Kelce another year older, the Chiefs needed to refresh their offensive skill positions in a big way if they were to continue their stranglehold atop the AFC.
Getting Rashee Rice and Isiah Pacheco back to full health will certainly help, as will another year of development from 2024 first-round pick Xavier Worthy. The Chiefs hope to get an immediate impact out of fourth-round rookie wideout Jalen Royals, but could a surprising first-year playmaker make their name known early on in Kansas City?
Brashard Smith May Be a Weapon in Andy Reid's High-Scoring Offense
The Chiefs selected SMU running back, Brashard Smith in the seventh-round of this past April's NFL Draft.
Back in 2021, Smith committed to the University of Miami as a wide receiver out of Miami Palmetto High School in Pinecrest, Florida. After struggling for playing time, Smith would transfer to SMU ahead of the 2024 season, where he helped the Mustangs earn a spot in the College Football Playoff after making the switch to running back, where he ran for 1,332 yards and 14 touchdowns, while adding 327 yards and four scores as a receiver.
ESPN's Adam Teicher touted Smith's ability as a receiver out of the backfield, which could be the difference in him being not only on the Chiefs' Week 1 roster but also an immediate contributor to Andy Reid's offense.
"Judging from how he was utilized in offseason practices, the Chiefs have plans for Smith, a seventh-round draft pick out of SMU," Teicher noted. "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."
Smith will look to surpass veteran Kareem Hunt and newly signed tailback Elijah Mitchell as likely starter Isiah Pacheco's top change-of-pace option.