On paper, the Kansas City Chiefs are coming off one of their better drafts in recent memory. While it will be hard to beat the 2022 draft that netted Kansas City players like Trent McDuffie, George Karlaftis, Isiah Pacheco, and many other starters, this draft has the chance to make the same impact.

Over this past weekend, the Chiefs drafted players who can start as soon as this season or be starters in the future. One of those players is SMU running back Brashard Smith, who Kansas City drafted in the seventh round. Although Smith will have to battle established stars for playing time in 2025, the organization believes he can make an impact this year.

On Monday, Chiefs Director of Player Personnel/College Scouting Ryne Nutt spoke to the media about why they drafted Smith. According to Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports, Nutt said, “They moved him to the position, and in one year, he had 1,300 yards? That’s super impressive,” He added. ” When he has the ball in his hands, he can do some silly things in what he can set up. Talent-wise, there’s no reason this kid can’t help us in 2025.”

Chiefs Director of Player Personnel/College Scouting Ryne Nutt on Brashard Smith: "They moved him to the position, and in one year, he had 1,300 yards? That's super impressive. . . When he has the ball in his hands, he can do some silly things in what he can setup. . . talent…

— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) April 28, 2025

Chiefs Believe Brashard Smith Can Contribute to the Team in 2025

Nuff’s comments about Smith’s potential role in 2025 may surprise some Chiefs fans. This is because most seventh-round running backs wouldn’t see the field with all the talent the Chiefs have in the backfield.

Currently, Kansas City’s running back room consists of Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Elijah Mitchell, and Carson Steele. Before Smith’s selection, Steele was likely the odd man out, but now he is for sure.

That said, the one thing the running back room lacks that Smith brings is explosiveness. Though Mitchell has shown an ability to be explosive in his career, he is also injury-prone, meaning it is hard to predict how often he will be available.

Smith, a former wide receiver, is coming off his first season at running back, where he had 1,659 all-purpose yards (1,332 rushing and 327 receiving) and 18 touchdowns. Moreover, Smith averaged 5.7 yards per carry and 8.4 yards per catch. Having an explosive running back through the air is something Kansas City has struggled with in recent years.

Therefore, getting Smith involved out of the backfield in his rookie season makes sense. Who knows, if Smith exceeds expectations in his rookie year, he may even surpass all the other backs and become the starter.