Dave Toub: Tremon Smith is second fastest player on the Chiefs

Dave Toub thinks he has a good idea of who is second-fastest, behind Tyreek, of course, on the Chiefs: rookie cornerback Tremon Smith.

There’s no question which player reigns supreme at the top. The fastest player on the Kansas City Chiefs also just so happens to be the fastest player in the National Football League in wide receiver Tyreek Hill. But what about second place?

Dave Toub recently took an educated guess at who he would pick if he had to rank the team’s players. On Sunday, when speaking with reporters after training camp practice, the special teams coach had high praise for one of the incoming rookies: cornerback Tremon Smith. In fact, Toub said he would take Tremon Smith as the second-fastest player behind Hill.

Toub specifically praised him for his work at returner, which is where he will likely make the most noise as he settles into the secondary picture. Toub specifically praised his acceleration, his ability to get to top speed in a matter of steps, which bodes well for the return game and could become a serious asset in coverage if he can make the leap in competition from Central Arkansas to the NFL.

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The Chiefs selected Smith in the sixth round of the NFL Draft as the only cornerback investment made among the team’s picks, despite going all-in on defense through those first six rounds. Smith was an exciting small-school prospect who earned decent buzz leading up to the draft and several analysts praised the pick with the belief that the Chiefs likely got a steal at that position in the draft. So far, the Chiefs certainly seem pleased.

Despite his special teams prowess, it will be interesting to see just how much work Smith can get in the return game. Toub was quite clear that Tyreek Hill will be his punt returner no matter what, which means Smith’s top speed might be wasted waiting in the wings for the one guy who can best him. That’s not the Chiefs fault, since they’re right to want any edge they can get on the field. It’s security, sure, but Smith will have to hope that the kickoff return rule changes aren’t so different that the Chiefs want Hill there as well.

What is clear is that the Chiefs have some definite options at returner than last year and maybe even a chance to rest Hill from returns eventually if the Chiefs learn to trust Smith as the primary guy. Even as the second fastest on the team, he might just be faster than everyone else out there—just like Tyreek.