The Kansas City Chiefs addressed their backfield early in free agency, then added a promising player with a strong NFL bloodline in one of their first moves after the NFL draft.
The Chiefs made several signings shortly after the draft ended, adding undrafted free agents to address needs on both sides of the ball. That included a running back whose father was one of the best in NFL history.
Chiefs Land Emmitt Smith’s Son in Free Agency
As NFL reporter Joseph Hoyt noted, the Chiefs added to their backfield by signing the son of Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith.
“Texas A&M RB E.J. Smith, the son of Hall of Fame RB Emmitt Smith, is signing with the Kansas City Chiefs as an UDFA, per source,” Hoyt shared in a post on X.
E.J. Smith confirmed the signing on social media, taking to Instagram to share his excitement with joining the Chiefs.
“Excited to officially sign with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent,” Smith wrote. “Nothing is given. Everything is earned. I’m ready to work, learn, and prove myself every single day. Thank you to my family, coaches, teammates, and everyone who believed in me and pushed me to this moment. The journey hasn’t been easy, but every challenge prepared me for this next step. Grateful is an understatement. All glory to God for this opportunity. Let’s get it Chiefs Kingdom.”
As Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk noted, Smith played for two seasons at Stanford and two at Texas A&M, but didn’t rack up a lot of stats as a running back. Though Smith had just 44 carries for 205 yards last season, he had two big plays, Williams wrote.
“Smith picked up a first down on fourth-and-1 at his own 34-yard line with 10 minutes left in a close game with Arkansas, getting to the stick despite tight end Micah Riley running into him in the backfield,” Williams wrote. “In a game against UTSA, Smith made three blocks on K.C. Concepcion’s 80-yard punt return.”
Chiefs Looking for Help for Kenneth Walker III
The Chiefs made a splash this offseason when they landed Kenneth Walker III, who is coming off a Super Bowl MVP performance with the Seattle Seahawks. The move had generated some criticism, with Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport calling it the worst signing of the offseason.
“Throughout his four-year career, Walker has struggled with nagging injuries,” Davenport wrote. “Last year was the first time he played in all 17 games. While the 2022 second-round pick has posted two 1,000-yard seasons, he has never had 230 carries in a season. He has also never played 600 snaps in a season. Walker is being paid like a bell-cow running back. But to date, he hasn’t shown that he can actually be one.”
The signing of Smith gives the Chiefs more potential depth behind Walker, and the team is giving a look at some other running backs. NFL.com reporter Mike Garofolo noted that the Chiefs are also giving a rookie minicamp invite to another former college standout.
“Buffalo RB Al-Jay Henderson has accepted a rookie camp invite from the #Chiefs. Henderson rushed for 1833 yards and 15 TDs over his last two seasons with the Bulls,” Garofolo reported.
Chiefs Sign Son of Legendary NFL RB in Moves After NFL Draft