Every year, the Kansas City Chiefs have at least one training camp darling that steals the attention of fans. Oftentimes, however, that heartwarming feeling turns into heartbreak when said player doesn’t live up to the buzz. It’s a slippery slope, albeit a real sign that football season is back.
This summer’s camp is no different. In fact, there are a few options to choose from for the reigning AFC champions. As Kansas City’s preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals approaches, rookie running back Brashard Smith may have passed other standouts like left tackle Josh Simmons and wide receiver Tyquan Thornton on the hype train.
Firsthand observations from Chiefs camp fuel that positive chaos. An August 6 video from Christian Ainsworth of Arrowhead Addict serves as a prime example. Smith is turning heads in a major way.
Rookie Running Back Brashard Smith Justifying Hype at Training Camp
“Brashard Smith is COOKING today at camp,” Ainsworth’s post began. “Chiefs have never had a back this polished as a route runner. Mismatch nightmare brewing.”
In the video clip, Smith is seen stacking a defensive back and burning him deep down the field. He hauled in the pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, which wasn’t his only would-be touchdown of the week. On Thursday, Smith tipped a screen pass to himself and took it to the house after evading defenders. The seventh-round pick simply can’t stop making plays. (Smith left the latter practice with a minor finger injury.)
Smith’s college career set the scene for an intriguing profile at the NFL level. In his first three years, he was a wide receiver for Miami. In his freshman, sophomore and junior campaigns, he caught 69 passes for 770 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He didn’t do a ton on the ground, toting the ball just 18 times but collecting 177 yards and a score. That 9.8 yard-per-carry average seemed to intrigue SMU enough to get Smith to transfer, and the rest is history.
Smith certainly made a name for himself with the Mustangs. In 14 games, he collected 235 carries for 1,332 yards and a whopping 14 touchdowns. He also continued to factor into the receiving game, adding career-highs in receptions (39), receiving yards (327) and receiving touchdowns (4). That put him on the map for NFL teams.
The ability of Smith to provide a dual threat fit makes him a potential weapon. He’s also an impressive athlete with tremendous burst. A converted wide receiver with true rushing chops and room for development is dangerous. Add in his ability to return kickoffs, and you get a valuable Day 3 NFL Draft swing for the Chiefs.
Chiefs Teammates Impressed by Smith This Offseason
Fans aren’t the only ones contributing to the Smith buzz. His own teammates are fond of how he’s adjusted to life in the NFL thus far. Speaking to the media following August 6’s training camp practice, future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce had nothing but good things to say.
“He had a bunch [of explosive plays] today, man,” Kelce said. “The guy that has all the athletic talent. We love what we’ve seen so far in terms of his growth every single day. We’ve thrown a lot at him. There’s a lot you’ve got to do in the running back room. I think he’s going to keep getting better and better as these weeks go on. You’ll see it in these preseason games, too.”
This summer, running back Isiah Pacheco expanded on his relationship with a fellow seventh-rounder.
“It’s great,” Pacheco said. “He’s a seventh-round pick, and I had that similar role when I came in here. It’s [about] finding ways to get better, and that’s on the special teams [or] wherever it may be, building a relationship with guys so you can learn a little bit more about them. And as far as the game itself – competing.”
If Smith makes the Chiefs’ initial 53-man roster, it’ll be a well-earned addition. How he performs in the upcoming preseason could determine that. It isn’t like Kansas City’s rushing attack has a crazy abundance of talent. Pacheco didn’t look the same last year upon returning from an injury, Kareem Hunt is an aging short-yardage piece and Elijah Mitchell is a complete wild card.
Is there room for Smith? He might be slowly eliminating that uncertainty.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Chiefs Rookie Showing Why ‘Mismatch Nightmare’ Claims May Be Valid appeared first on Heavy Sports.