The Kansas City Chiefs selected SMU running back Brashard Smith after another trade-up, this time in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

5’10” | 194 lbs. | SMU
Richmond Heights Florida

Background: A three-star recruit out of high school in the Miami area, Smith originally committed to the University of Miami, where he played from 2021-23. Having played only sparingly during his first three seasons, Smith transferred to SMU, where he burst on the scene with a massive 2024 campaign.

With over 1,300 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, Smith was named First Team All-ACC and declared for the draft shortly following the end of the season.

At the scouting combine in March, he posted an impressive 4.39-second 40-yard dash. Despite this, his small frame raised some concerns and is likely a reason he fell to the seventh round in the draft.

Strengths: Smith is an explosive runner and is capable of ripping big gains on any given play. His vision and hesitation help him maneuver his way through defenses, but his speed and acceleration help him find lanes in the defense to rip the big runs.

An advanced pass-catcher, he spent time at wideout at Miami before transferring, but he has the capabilities to run routes out of the backfield as well as in and around the slot. With limited college snaps, Smith also will be plenty fresh entering the NFL.

Weaknesses: Smith’s small stature will prevent him from being an every-down back in the NFL, and he will likely need to add strength to his game. He had two fumbles during his 2024 season, but ball security in general will be something he can improve on. His pass blocking needs a lot of work and could limit how often he sees the field on third down in 2025.

How he fits with the Chiefs: The Chiefs have desperately needed an injection of speed and explosion in the running back room, and Smith can provide just that. His versatility as a receiver and ability to break big runs had to have been highly attractive to Andy Reid during the pre-draft process, and this is a solid day-three pickup. Smith will be a natural fit for the Chiefs’ zone run looks, and his abilities could also help the Chiefs reopen the outside running game.

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