Chiefs select RB Brashard Smith in Round 7 to finish 2025 NFL Draft
Smith bolsters running backs position group
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach made yet another trade to move up on Day 3, this time in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Chiefs then selected SMU running back Brashard Smith (228th overall) in a move to add depth to the position group.
Smith’s selection occurred after the Chiefs shipped their remaining seventh-round picks (251st overall and 257th overall) to the New England Patriots.
“You know how Brett (Veach) is with stuff,” Chiefs area scout Jason Lamb said. “He sees a guy he really wants and it’s kind of a whole collaboration (with) a lot of the coaches.
“Knowing what he can bring to the offense and seeing him out there, you just got to go and get your guy. So, that’s kind of what we did right there.”
The 5-foot-10, 194-pound Smith is a converted wide receiver and possesses 4.39 speed in the 40-yard dash.
He posted 1,332 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns on 235 attempts in 2024, averaging 5.7 yards per carry in his first season as a running back. He garnered first-team All-ACC honors last season.
Smith previously played wide receiver at Miami (2021-23), posting 69 catches for 770 yards and four touchdowns, before transferring to SMU.
“He’s an explosive athlete,” Lamb said. “You see the quickness, you see his speed, I mean, he’s running a 4.3, so his overall athleticism and the dynamic ability he brings being a former receiver.
“Playing running back for the first time, this guy when you get the ball in his hands, he makes big plays happen. It’s just a lot of fun to watch.”
The Chiefs’ newest running back can also contribute on special teams as a kickoff returner, evidenced by his 1,295 yards and a touchdown on 53 attempts in college.
Smith will likely need to standout on special teams when considering the top three running backs on the offseason depth chart are Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt and Elijah Mitchell. The Chiefs also have Keaontay Ingram and fullback Carson Steele on the roster.
For his part, Smith looks forward to joining the running back room and contributing.
“I feel like my skill set fits perfect with the offense,” Smith said on a Zoom teleconference. “I feel like they’re already dynamic and I feel like I’m a dynamic player also. I feel like I’m going to bring a lot of juice to the offense and special teams.”
CHIEFS COMPLETE PICKS IN 2025 NFL DRAFT
Round 1 (32nd overall): Ohio State LT Josh Simmons
Round 2 (63rd overall): Tennessee DT Omarr Norman-Lott
Round 3 (66th overall): Louisville DE Ashton Gillotte
Round 3 (85th overall): California CB Nohl Williams
Round 4 (133rd overall): Utah State WR Jalen Royals
Round 5 (156th overall): Oregon LB Jeff Bassa
Round 7 (228th overall): SMU RB Brashard Smith
Great pick. Spells McKinnon. I can see him catching a lot of TDs for the chiefs esp in the red zone.