Brashard Smith

Smith is buried behind Isiah Pacheco on the KC depth chart with limited clear path to significant touches. The Chiefs' run-heavy scheme under Andy Reid doesn't guarantee volume for backup RBs.

He's averaged just 3.0 yards per carry on his 29 totes through the season, and at 194 pounds he is one of the smallest RBs in his class and was a converted WR who was otherwise pedestrian as a rusher in his lone season as a collegiate RB.

Despite the Chiefs praising the SMU product for his playmaking ability earlier in the season, the team has not seemed committed to using him more in Pacheco's absence, making him remain difficult to trust for fantasy purposes.

KC beat reporters (Heavy, Arrowhead Addict) have explicitly flagged Smith as a genuine cut candidate heading into training camp. The Johnson pick was described as potentially ending the 'Brashard Smith experiment,' and Smith offers no clear positional advantage over Johnson or Demercado in any role category the Chiefs value.

Patrick Mahomes is recovering from a torn ACL, shifting KC's 2026 offense toward heavier run-game emphasis — but that volume accrues to Walker III, not Smith. A QB-constrained offense actually reduces Smith's best-case outlet of high-volume passing-down work in a spread system.

If Pacheco suffers injury, Smith would immediately step into a featured role in one of the NFL's most efficient offenses with strong playoff equity.

Pacheco was listed as limited on all three of the Chiefs' Week 18 injury reports with rest, while Pacheco is entering the weekend with a designation. Kansas City is out of playoff contention, so the team may opt to rest Pacheco, potentially opening opportunity for Smith down the stretch or in 2026.

Smith has made an impact as a receiver through 11 games, notching 19 grabs for 161 yards, and the Chiefs view him as a different kind of back from Pacheco and Hunt—more of a receiver type who can make explosive plays in space. Once they trust the rookie to handle all of the running back responsibilities, he could be a factor in their offense.

ESPN's Graziano suggested "don't be surprised if at some point soon rookie Brashard Smith gets a shot." Smith was made the Chiefs' initial 53-man roster and has been active on game days over veteran Elijah Mitchell. Considering Kansas City spent real capital to get Mitchell in free agency, their actions signal that they value Smith more.

His 2025 production was passing-game tilted (23-170-1 receiving on 31 targets), and Reid envisions a dual carrier/receiver role — a PPR-friendly archetype that fits the Mahomes/Reid scheme.