Who Should I Start? Brashard Smith or Kaleb Johnson


Week 6 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.0 2.9 0.0 0.3 2.4 0.0

Brashard Smith News

Brashard Smith Looks Like the Clear RB3 in Kansas City

Friday, September 18, 5:49 PM

A seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith flashed upside as a receiver out of the backfield during his rookie season. However, the 23-year-old's 2026 debut was discouraging for fantasy managers, as Smith played exclusively on special teams in Kansas City's Week 1 win over the Denver Broncos. Chiefs RB1 Kenneth Walker turned in a dominant performance against Denver, and rookie running back Emmett Johnson appears to have established himself as the clear RB2 in Kansas City. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes attempted just 27 passes in Week 1, so Smith may play a role in games where Kansas City is forced into more pass-heavy game scripts. Still, Smith seems unlikely to provide fantasy-relevant production unless there's an injury to Walker or Johnson.


Week 6 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
2.9 17.0 0.1 0.5 3.5 0.0

Kaleb Johnson News

Kaleb Johnson Slipping Down Green Bay's Backfield Rotation

Friday, October 16, 7:57 AM

Green Bay Packers running back Kaleb Johnson saw his role shrink at the very moment an opening appeared in the backfield. Chris Brooks (ankle) landed on injured reserve ahead of Week 5, but Johnson didn't play an offensive snap in the first half of Sunday's 31-7 win over Chicago. He finished with nine snaps (15%), down from 15 (27%) against Tampa Bay in Week 4, when he rushed for 42 yards but also lost a fumble inside the 5-yard line. Pierre Strong Jr., promoted from the practice squad, logged 24 snaps and caught three passes, while MarShawn Lloyd played 26 snaps and scored twice. Johnson's seven carries produced 26 yards, with 23 coming on a single fourth-quarter run after Green Bay had built a comfortable lead. Through five games, he has 106 rushing yards, one reception, and no touchdowns. With Josh Jacobs still on the Commissioner's Exempt List, Johnson had an opportunity to establish himself, but he now looks like a speculative deep-league stash heading into Week 6 against Dallas.


Brashard Smith vs. Kaleb Johnson

Still trying to decide between Smith and Johnson? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Brashard Smith is projected to score 1.0 points this week while Kaleb Johnson is projected to score 2.9 points.