BrashardSmith

News: 2 days agoSmith is listed as the No. 4 running back on the unofficial depth chart Kansas City released ahead of the preseason, Pete Grathoff of the Kansas City Star reports.

Spin: Smith has his work cut out for him to earn a role on offense, though the pecking order between Emari Demercado, Emmett Johnson and Smith is far from set in stone behind lead back Kenneth Walker. Even if Smith fails to move up the depth chart, he has a decent chance of making the 53-man roster thanks to his contributions on special teams. General manager Brett Veach said that Smith "adds value as a dynamic speed element and his return game as a punt kick returner."

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Smith heads into his second NFL season set to compete with Emmett Johnson and Emari Demercado for No. 2 duties behind new Chiefs' lead back Kenneth Walker III. Smith played just 17% of the Chiefs' offensive snaps as a rookie and had nearly as many targets (35) as he did carries (44). The seventh-round pick wasn't overly effective (3.43 yards per carry, 4.9 yards per target) and was able to reach double-digit fantasy points only once (13.1 in a Week 7 blowout win). The undersized 23-year-old would likely share the backfield even if Walker were to miss time, and he has minimal fantasy appeal.