Brashard

Smith

Obviously Smith’s fantasy value took a huge hit with the addition of Kenneth Walker. But they also added Emari Demercado and moved up in the fifth round to draft Emmitt Johnson. Per Newell, “It all means Smith faces an important training camp. He’s a seventh-round pick, so the team doesn’t have a great amount invested in him if it does choose to move on.” Smith barely got a chance to run the ball last year, which was damning on its own considering how poor the running back room was, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he was a non-factor this year. He’s not a must-hold in dynasty formats.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is currently rehabbing a season-ending knee injury, and although he has a chance to return in time for Week 1, it takes time for players to return to full strength. Enter new Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker, who Veach reminds us was the Super Bowl LX MVP. He adds that the team feels “real good” about the offensive line. Veach also indicates that the team intends to pass the ball more often as the season progresses, but if the run game is working, who’s to say they take the proverbial foot off the pedal? Walker warrants low-end RB1 treatment at this time. He is backed up by veteran RBs Brashard Smith and Emari Demercado, and fifth-round rookie RB Emmett Johnson. The depth chart order behind Walker will become clear in training camp.

The former Cardinals backup running back totaled a career-high 413 scrimmage yards last season, banking four half-PPR finishes as an RB3 or better. Demercado caught 50 passes during his three seasons in Arizona and could challenge second-year RB Brashard Smith for receiving work. At worst, he can rotate in as a decent rusher whenever RB Kenneth Walker III needs a breather.

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.