The Kansas City Chiefs offense feels like it's getting rolling with a healthy wide receiver room. It's also getting more diverse with shifty rookie Brashard Smith seeing increased reps out of the backfield.
Asked about Smith's progress over the first seven weeks, coach Andy Reid noted Thursday that the seventh-round pick has been getting the hang of pass protections, which is an avenue to get him on the field more.
"He's done a nice job of picking it up," Reid said. "That position, you've got to know the pass game, the run game, and then you have these protections that you've got to take care of. They get a little crazy -- the protections do, with all the different looks that defenses are throwing at you. Then also as many protections as we have -- different types of protections we have. He's hung right in there and done a good job. We've been able to give him a little more each week in different roles. We're moving him all over the place. I wouldn't see that part changing. We're going to keep utilizing his talents. (He's a) hard worker and all of that. The intangible stuff is great."
The pass protection element is key for a third-down back like Smith. If Reid and Patrick Mahomes can't trust him to read a blitz and be in the right spot, he won't be on the field.
Adding Smith's 4.39 speed out of the backfield, however, gives K.C. a change-of-pace weapon it's lacked the past few seasons. Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are tough runners, but neither is breaking ankles in space.
K.C. has used the rookie primarily as a receiver. He's generated 14 catches on 18 targets for 122 yards through Week 7. Sunday's blowout win against the Raiders provided the Chiefs a chance to let him work as a runner. He took a career-high 14 carries for 39 yards in Week 7.
"He's made a ton of progress," Mahomes said Thursday, echoing his coach. "He'll continue to get better and better. Coach Reid's offense is as hard -- especially for that running back position, because you have to do so many things as far as running, catching, blocking and all the different things. He's been a sponge, man. He's been learning a ton and whenever he gets his opportunity, he's making plays happen and I think he's just another weapon in this offense and he'll continue to get more and more snaps. And then he's done a great job in special teams as well, which I think gets lost in the fold of things, which is huge on our team."
Smith's shiftiness and speed in the passing game add to a K.C. offense that is getting its danger back after two years with middling results. If the rookie earns more reps out of the backfield, it will only make the offense more potent. Defenses already have to deal with playmakers on the outside, Travis Kelce short and Mahomes scrambling. If they also have to be concerned with a speedy back leaking out on third downs, it becomes a bigger headache.
With Hunt (ankle, knee), fighting injury -- he did not practice Thursday -- the door could open wider for Smith in Week 8 on Monday night versus the Washington Commanders. Washington is tied for fifth-most receiving yards allowed to running backs through Week 7 (291).
