With the Kansas City Chiefs’ previous success drafting running back Isiah Pacheco in the seventh round, they looked to catch lightning in a bottle once again when they selected Brashard Smith with their final pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Smith, a former wide receiver at Miami who transitioned to running back during his final collegiate year at SMU, rushed for 1,332 yards and 14 touchdowns in his senior season, adding 39 receptions out of the backfield. He’s still adjusting to the position and the physicality
of the pro game, but the explosive rookie has continued making steady strides at training camp as he works to carve out a role in Kansas City’s offense.
Brashard Smith out of the backfield...useful. #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/ZVFRBIUWbZ
— Matt Foster (@MattFosterTV) July 29, 2025
“I feel like it’s a new experience for sure,” Smith said during Monday’s media availability. “College is nothing like it, but I’ll say you just got to grasp on, and you got to be ahead too.”
As someone still relatively new to the running back position, Smith knows there’s plenty of room for growth. He mentioned one of his biggest adjustments has been learning to play through contact. Playing lower, keeping his pad level down and maintaining a strong base will be key to him developing into a reliable ball carrier out of the backfield.
And while his speed remains a natural weapon, he’s focused on slowing the game down in the NFL — trusting his reads and letting plays develop.
“Sometimes, I know I’m fast, so I’ll be really quick,” Smith admitted. “Sometimes, I could just be a little slower and everything will read for itself.”
Perhaps the biggest adjustment from college to the NFL, though, is the quarterback play. In Kansas City, where the offense runs through an elite quarterback like Patrick Mahomes, earning playing time means keeping him upright. Pass protection will be the difference between being on the field or watching from the sideline for a pass-catching back like Smith.
“I think I’m doing better as far as making contact, running up, and giving like a thud,” Smith noted about his pass protection. “I feel like I’m doing better and better, and I feel like I’ll be good at it.”
Aside from competing at running back, Smith is also pushing to contribute on special teams. With the NFL’s new kickoff rules expected to create more return opportunities, the rookie sees it as another chance to make an impact by doing whatever it takes.
“I love the ball in my hands,” Smith said. “I feel like I could make explosive plays. I love to play punt return, kick return, it doesn’t matter. To help the team win, I’ll do whatever.”
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