If there's one thing the Chiefs wanted to really add value to on offense, it was the running back spot. The Chiefs made a splash signing with Kenneth Walker III this past free agency cycle and continued to add value through free agency and the draft with Emari Demercado and Emmett Johnson.
The Chiefs continued to add on, taking a shot on undrafted rookie EJ Smith from Texas A&M. Now, as with all the players the Chiefs bring in, the question remains: What do the Chiefs see in him?
EJ Smith: High School to the NFL
EJ Smith is the son of Hall of Famer and former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith. He attended Jesuit College Preparatory School in Dallas, Texas, where he was rated as a four-star prospect coming out of high school. Smith had offers from Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and many other Power 4 schools; however, he ultimately chose to commit to and sign with Stanford.
Smith stayed at Stanford from 2020 to 2023. While he was there, he had 109 rushing attempts for 557 yards and 5 touchdowns, along with 59 receptions for 386 yards and 1 touchdown. He entered the transfer portal after the 2023 season and signed with Texas A&M.
Smith spent the rest of his career at Texas A&M (2024–2025), where he had 98 rushing attempts for 412 yards and 4 touchdowns, along with 12 receptions for 84 yards. In 2025, he had 44 carries for 205 yards and 4 touchdowns, along with 4 receptions for 18 yards.
At his Pro Day, he measured in at 5'11 3/4" and 208 pounds, with a 31 1/4" arm length, a 10" hand size, a 75" wingspan, a 35 1/2" vertical jump, and a 10'0" broad jump. Additionally, he ran a 4.60 40-yard dash, a 4.30 20-yard shuttle, and a 7.34 3-cone drill while recording 20 bench reps.
What do the Chiefs see in him?
I feel that the Chiefs are looking to see if he has any of the flashes that his dad did back in the day. Looking at some of his highlight film, he does display good contact balance against second-level defenders (linebackers), staying upright and continuing to churn for extra yardage. Furthermore, he shows solid yards after contact with strength against smaller defenders, showcasing his physical toughness and play strength on film.
That said, I feel that the Chiefs see him as a developmental running back who can be used in short-yardage situations and provide value on special teams. Now, with that in mind, what will his competition be to earn a roster spot?
Smith's Competition
He will have an uphill climb to earn a roster spot and build his NFL career. He has to compete against rookies Emmett Johnson and Jaydn Ott, along with second-year player Brashard Smith, who was drafted in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. If he performs well in training camp and the preseason, he could sneak onto the roster as a third or fourth running back if he proves to be one of the better offensive players.
In a recent media session, Smith said he's ready to work hard for this opportunity and is ready to "build his own legacy." It will be very interesting to see how he performs in camp and fights for a spot on the final 53.
Add us as a preferred source on Google