Rookie Named Biggest 'Surprise' For Chiefs In 2025

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 8:32 PM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs had a so-so run game in 2024 with Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco, and this offseason, the franchise got to work to rectify that.

Elijah Mitchell was signed in free agency, and Brashard Smith was drafted in the seventh round.

In Smith's case, he was a receiver for his first three seasons in college with Miami, and in 2024, he moved to SMU and was deployed as a running back (1,332 yards, 14 touchdowns).

Having already caught the coaching staff's attention with his speed and receiving skills this offseason, many believe Smith will play a key role for Andy Reid.

And ESPN's Adam Teicher has named Smith as the Chiefs' biggest surprise player of 2025.

"Judging from how he was utilized in offseason practices, the Chiefs have plans for Smith, a seventh-round draft pick out of SMU," Teicher writes. "Smith was a wide receiver in college before moving to running back for his final season, and the Chiefs showcased his versatility by getting him the ball out of the backfield, from the slot and split out wide. Smith ran a 4.39 40 at the combine, so he will fit in with a group of other fast skill players, including Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown and Elijah Mitchell."

The Chiefs' run game last season, while physical and capable of picking up yards, lacked a genuine explosive element.

Hunt or Pacheco have never been that in their careers, so with Mitchell and now Smith coming into the fold, both speed burners, the hope is that there will be some zip in the run game now.

If Patrick Mahomes can lean on his run game, in a similar way to Jalen Hurts did for the Philadelphia Eagles last season, the offense might run a little smoother. Plus, it will open things up in the passing game, too.

And who knows, maybe Smith, who has been earmarked for a role in Reid's offense, might be the ace in his deck.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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