Brashard

Smith

He drops this in a note about Kansas City’s lack of explosion in 2025, a year in which impending free agent Isiah Pacheco was not able to manage a single run of 20 or more yards. New OC Eric Bieniemy, per Taylor, “will be tasked with putting together the correct run-blocking scheme for the Chiefs.” With both Pacheco and Kareem Hunt impending free agents and only gadget back Brashard Smith under contract, this report is not much of a surprise. The Chiefs will likely contend for one of the better free agent backs in this class.

It was only the second time Smith has seen more than four carries in a game this season. With Isiah Pacheco inactive, Smith easily led the KC backfield in touches while Kareem Hunt chipped in with breather back duty. Smith’s rookie season usage was curious considering both Pacheco and Hunt struggled to create yards or prove effective as pass catchers out of the backfield. Smith has just five games with more than three targets in 2025, averaging a healthy 7.5 yards per reception and scoring a touchdown. Smith will be an intriguing best bell draft pick in the coming months as the Kansas City backfield is in flux ahead of 2026. Hunt is a free agent, as is Pacheco. Smith likely won’t be anything close to a bell cow back based on how little interest Reid had in using him that way in 2025. but perhaps he has some head-of-committee runouts in his range of outcomes.

Smith did not carry the ball once for the second week in a row. He last saw more than three attempts in Week 7. He did, however, bring in a goal line touchdown toss from Chris Oladokun. It was the first career score for both players. Smith is good for a handful of catches every week, but his non-existent role on the ground will keep him off the fantasy radar for Week 18.

Smith only carried the ball once. He ran for five yards. Kareem Hunt saw 30 carries and Clyde Edwards-Helaire ran five times. Smith looks like a difference-maker through the air, but the Chiefs have no interest in getting him more than four or five touches in any game. He is not on the fantasy radar heading into Week 13.

Since his 14-carry “coming out party” against the Raiders in a 31-0 win on October 19, Smith has played three games and touched the ball eight times. We’re good here until the role grows.

Pacheco remains sidelined by the MCL sprain he suffered in Week 8 and has not yet resumed practicing. His absence keeps veteran RB Kareem Hunt locked in fantasy RB2 land while rookie RB Brashard Smith frustrates fantasy managers with low-volume touch counts behind him. Smith is still worth rostering to see if the team increases his role following the Week 10 bye.

Even with Isiah Pacheco out with a knee injury, Smith didn’t see an uptick in usage. Kareem Hunt handled 11 carries and Clyde Edwards-Helaire took two. Smith was also targeted just once in the passing game, but the screen pass hit the helmet of an offensive lineman. At this point, it’s hard to see any fantasy relevance for Smith happening this season.

Anything close to a 50/50 split would be a massive win for Smith. The rookie has been largely relegated to designed targets this year. He has seen more than four carries just once, a blowout win over the Raiders in which he handled mop-up duties. Hunt should still have the slight edge in carries, but Smith is firmly in the RB3 ranks with Isiah Pacheco on the sidelines. Rapoport also noted that the Chiefs could be in the market for an explosive running back ahead of the trade deadline. Breece Hall is the biggest name potentially available, though it’s rare for stars as big as Hall to get moved in the middle of the season.

Pacheco has already been ruled out for Week 9. He went down with an MCL sprain versus the Commanders and did not practice once this week. An extra week of rest between now and Kansas City’s next game should be enough to get him back on the field. Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith with handle the backfield versus Buffalo. Hunt should see the majority of the carries while Smith will get a mix of rushes and targets.

Pacheco’s absence is expected. The Chiefs’ starting running back sprained an MCL in Week 8 against the Commanders and was deemed “week-to-week” on Tuesday after undergoing further testing. Pacheco’s sidelining reduces the backfield to a two-player committee, led by RB Kareem Hunt, who will likely remain on the field for short-yardage situations, including at the goal line. Rookie RB Brashard Smith will continue functioning as a featured receiver and part-time rusher. Hunt is a touchdown-dependent RB2 while Smith is a high-upside FLEX against a poor Bills’ run defense that just lost stud DT Ed Oliver (biceps) for the year. Backup RB Elijah Mitchell can be stashed in very deep leagues.