As the NFL gears up for the 2025 season, the Kansas City Chiefs are once again in the spotlight. This time its not the Chiefs stars (or who the Chiefs stars are seen with publicly) that are drawing attention, it’s the emergence of a potential hidden gem within their rookie class. Seventh-round pick Brashard Smith, out of SMU, is looking like the pivotal X factor in Kansas City’s quest for another Super Bowl run.
Smith’s journey to the Chiefs is definitely an intriguing one. Originally a wide receiver in college, Smith transitioned to running back in his final season at SMU. This dual-threat background has made him a unique asset in Andy Reid’s offense, which is renowned for its creativity and ability to maximize versatile talents. According to ESPN.com, during offseason practices, the Chiefs have showcased Smith’s adaptability by lining him up in the backfield, in the slot, and split out wide.
ESPN.com also noted that Smith’s athleticism is undeniable. He clocked a blazing 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, placing him among the fastest players on a Chiefs roster already loaded with speedsters like Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, and Elijah Mitchell. But what sets Smith apart isn’t just his speed. It’s his ability to seamlessly transition between positions and create mismatches all over the field.
The Chiefs’ offense has faced scrutiny in recent seasons, especially after the departure of Tyreek Hill and the aging of key veterans. While Kansas City has remained competitive, there’s been a noticeable dip in their trademark explosiveness, highlighted by a few lackluster performances and questions about their ability to consistently generate big plays.
This is where Brassard Smith could emerge. Smith’s hybrid skill set draws comparisons to NFL stars like Tony Pollard and Brian Westbrook. Both of those backs transformed their teams’ offenses with their versatility and unpredictability. Pollard and Westbrook had the immediate effect of elevating their respective team’s scoring and Smith is being positioned for a similar impact in Kansas City.
See Pollard effect below:
Then Westbrook effect:
What makes Smith so valuable isn’t just his individual talent, but the ripple effect he could have on the entire Chiefs offense. By serving as a true “force multiplier,” Smith’s presence on the field forces defenses to account for multiple possibilities, whether he’s running the ball, catching passes out of the backfield, or lining up as a wide receiver. Opposing defensive coordinators will likely struggle finding the right personnel matchups to handle this Kansas City offense.
This uncertainty puts pressure on opposing defenses, making it harder to predict Kansas City’s play calls and slowing down their reactions. When a defense has a player on the field that they can’t 100% pinpoint, it makes things infinitely more difficult. Smith muddles the picture for the defense. They do not know exactly what they’re going to get when he’s out there.
While Smith may not be penciled in as a starter from week one, expectations are that he will see significant snaps and touches right away. The Chiefs’ coaching staff has made it clear they view him as a dynamic weapon rather than just a situational player. His ability to contribute in a variety of personnel groupings gives Kansas City a new layer of unpredictability. You could make the argument the Chiefs have been too predictable since Hill was traded to Miami. They’ve done well on the greatness of Reid and Mahomes, but as the Super Bowl matchup against Philadelphia revealed, more is sometimes needed.
The buzz around Smith isn’t just media hype. It’s backed by the Chiefs’ own actions and the way they’ve integrated him into their offensive plans during minicamps and OTAs. With the offense looking to recapture its status as one of the league’s most dangerous units, Smith’s arrival could be the missing piece that helps Kansas City return to the top of the league in scoring.
Disclaimer: The content of this article was originally published as a YouTube video on the Saturday Morning Inspection YouTube channel. With AI assistance, the publisher of the video created this article based on the content of that video.
