The Kansas City Chiefs have been given an early reminder of how important depth at the receiver position truly is. Rashee Rice made his exciting return, but still has a jail sentence ahead and is likely facing a league suspension. This helped put an early focus on Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy, who have both missed time with early injuries. While Worthy made his return, the injuries and pending suspension serve as a reminder of the question mark the position remains. One that presents a chance for a surprise contributor to emerge.
Key'Shawn Smith is doing his best to fill this role and work his way up the Kansas City depth chart. Smith was added to the roster late in the year in an effort to overcome injuries at the position. Spending his first three seasons at Miami, the college veteran would finish his career with SMU before signing with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent. When this didn't prove to be a fit, Smith landed with the Chiefs. The expectation simply being the pass catcher would be a bottom of the depth chart option, easily cut when roster moves begin.
Bailey Zappe heaved a deep bomb down the right sideline for WR Key’Shawn Smith. CB Melvin Smith tipped the pass but Key’Shawn still managed to haul it in.
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) August 5, 2025
Key’Shawn Smith impressed during rookie minicamp, making plays already since arriving in camp a few days ago.
Chiefs Rookie Receiver Key'Shawn Smith Continues to Make Surprise Impression
Smith not only defied these expectations in his first handful of reps but continued to find ways to contribute while working with Bailey Zappe. This week, attention was caught due to the receiver making an impressive catch off a deflection. It was a long ball from Zappe that continued to give the rookie receiver a chance to shine. It is an exciting story that perhaps is the start of the ultimate underdog path to making the Kansas City roster.
If this is the path the receiver is walking, it is going to require an incredible run. One that isn't just practice reps, but production in the preseason and showing capable chemistry with the roster's reserves. Smith has made an early splash, but is a long way from securing a roster spot. While the Chiefs lack elite options, the team has a number of far more experienced pass catchers competing for the final roster spot.
Smith's path to making the roster remains difficult and requires a level of continued dominance that fans and coaches simply can't ignore. No matter how it ends, things are off to an exciting start for a player doing everything in his power to keep his career alive.