Who Should I Start? Brashard Smith or Tahj Brooks
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Brashard Smith News
Monday, April 27, 9:19 AM
A seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith earned some preseason buzz as a potential sleeper candidate to take over his team's backfield. However, despite the Chiefs getting middling production from the veteran tandem of Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco for much of the year, Smith was never able to carve out a consistent role. He finished the season with 323 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 69 touches, with 14 of those touches coming in a meaningless Week 18 game. Kansas City overhauled its backfield over the offseason, signing running backs Kenneth Walker III and Emari Demercado in free agency, and using a fifth-round pick on Nebraska back Emmett Johnson in the 2026 Draft. Walker III should dominate touches when healthy, leaving Smith in a three-way fight for the primary backup role. While Smith's receiving ability helps his chances, his pathway to regular playing time with the Chiefs looks significantly more challenging heading into 2026 than it did in 2025.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Tahj Brooks News
Friday, February 20, 7:31 AM
A sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Cincinnati Bengals running back Tahj Brooks played a minimal role on offense in his first professional season. Across 16 games, the 23-year-old recorded just 54 yards from scrimmage on 17 total touches. Bengals running back Chase Brown has logged nearly 600 touches over the past two seasons combined and is locked in as the RB1 in Cincinnati for at least 2026, blocking Brooks off from significant playing time. The Bengals also have steady veteran back Samaje Perine under contract for the 2026 season. Perine recorded 469 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns across 15 games with Cincinnati in 2025, and his reputation as a solid pass blocker and receiver should keep him secure in the team's third-down role. Post 2026, Brooks could have a pathway to more playing time in Cincinnati. However, it appears unlikely that he will have a chance to prove himself in the short term, barring an injury to Brown or Perine. Brooks' value in dynasty formats should be trending downward after his quiet rookie campaign.
Brashard Smith vs. Tahj Brooks
Still trying to decide between Smith and Brooks? 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 0.0 points this week while Tahj Brooks is projected to score 0.0 points.
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