Could This Unstoppable Rookie RB Become the Chiefs’ Worst Nightmare?

When the Kansas City Chiefs stumble a bit in the rushing game—putting up just 105.3 yards per contest and ranking a disappointing 22nd in the NFL—it’s hard not to wonder if their search for a reliable backfield savior is turning into a wild goose chase. Is the answer really hiding near the bottom of the draft board? Somehow, the Chiefs believe it just might be. Enter Brashard Smith: a speedy, undersized dynamo picked up in the seventh round who some scouts are already dubbing a “nightmare” for defenses. Could this former top 25 high school wideout be the puzzle piece Andy Reid’s offense desperately needs to unlock its true potential? Or is he simply another late-round longshot dreaming of proving the doubters dead wrong? Let’s dive into what makes this multi-threat back so tantalizing—and why the Chiefs might have just pulled off one of the draft’s sneakiest steals.

The Kansas City Chiefs had to piece together their backfield this past season after Isiah Pacheco went down with an injury early in the season and appeared in just seven games, and the team as a whole ranked 22nd in the NFL in rushing with just 105.3 yards per game.

Running back was certainly a need heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, and the Chiefs filled that need with one late-round draft pick who, according to one analyst, will be a “nightmare” for opposing defenses.

Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network shared on X that 7th-round pick Brashard Smith is going to be a “nightmare to counter” and could be a steal in Round 7.

“Brashard Smith is going to be a nightmare to counter in the unique personnel packages and formations deployed by Andy Reid. Former top 25 WR recruit of HS is a mismatch in space that could quickly become a focal point of the offense. Helluva find late in the process for a player that was expected to come off the board much earlier.”

Brashard Smith is going to be a nightmare to counter in the unique personnel packages and formations deployed by Andy Reid. Former top 25 WR recruit of HS is a mismatch in space that could quickly become a focal point of the offense.

Helluva find late in the process for a…

— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) April 26, 2025

Smith saw just 18 carries over three years when he was at Miami before transferring to SMU for the 2024 campaign, where he then received 235 carries for 1,332 yards and 14 touchdowns.

He proved to be a dynamic receiver out of the backfield over his four years in college, topping out with 39 catches for 327 yards and four touchdowns in 2024.

His 1,977 all-purpose yards ranked fourth in the entire FBS, so the Chiefs have found a guy who is capable of lighting it up in many different ways.

Smith ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine but likely slipped in the draft due to being slightly undersized at 5’10” and 194 pounds, while he also struggles with pass protection and shedding arm tackles.

He could step in as an immediate contributor on special teams or as a third-down back in Andy Reid’s offense.

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