The Kansas City Chiefs obliterated the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Hilarious stats and rare feats aimed at the Raiders certainly made this division beatdown even more exciting for Chiefs fans. Kansas City has regained its high-flying offense over the last month or so, and Patrick Mahomes is playing at a tremendous level. That has resulted in many of K.C.'s weapons beginning to get in a groove.
Yet it's important to consider some players who aren't among the top options on offense, yet whose presence is crucial in smaller ways. That's held true for rookie running back Brashard Smith.
Smith is not the top running back on the depth chart. But as the offense has continued to improve, he has been jumping out with his handful of touches. The amount of chances he is getting has increased as a result. In turn, the snap counts for Brashard Smith are noticeably important to monitor moving forward as well.
The Chiefs gave Smith 19 total touches on Sunday. Against the Raiders, he had 39 rushing yards and 42 receiving yards. That equates to roughly 4.26 yards per touch. Smith's yards and efficiency are one thing to admire from the box score.
Brashard Smith continues to pop noticeably at running back for the Chiefs.
However, the ways in which he is creating positive gains are what are truly exciting for Kansas City's offense moving forward. Smith displayed tough, physical running when given some carries against the Raiders. He fought through contact to work and find extra hidden yards. In some cases, that was the difference between converting for a first down or not against the Raiders.
We know his initial college football history as a pass catcher. But when watching him after the catch, Smith comes off as very instinctual. He knows where the leverage is while he works upfield. Elsewhere, Smith has done well not to waste time and space once the ball is in his hands.
Smith may not be fully developed at running back right now. Whenever he enters the game, though, there is a buzz about how the Chiefs will go about deploying him. And when he does get opportunities, it feels like Smith takes it and churns out a positive gain in a more entertaining way than expected.
This initial push from Smith from the early point of his career could come in handy both this season and moving forward. Who knows how much the Chiefs believed he would be in this position as someone worth counting on seven games into his rookie year. But also, Kansas City can navigate the running back waters a little more comfortably this offseason with decisions at the position looming.
Smith is becoming a trusted tertiary option in the Chiefs' offense, which isn't a given for any young player trying to break into Patrick Mahomes' list of preferred targets. If Brashard Smith can continue to produce in this role, he will be a critical go-to option in the quick passing game and in the screen game when Kansas City reaches the most vital part of the season.
