Who Should I Start? Kareem Hunt or Brashard Smith

Friday, January 2, 5:56 PM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (illness) was under the weather this week and missed the first two practices. He returned to a full session on Friday, though, and has been removed from the Week 18 injury report. The Chiefs could opt to rest Isiah Pacheco in the regular-season finale against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, which would put Hunt in line for lead-back duties to close things out. Hunt should only realistically be considered for starting fantasy lineups this weekend if Pacheco is ruled out on Sunday. The 30-year-old has taken on more of a secondary role in the Chiefs' backfield of late, having not seen double-digit carries in any of the last three games. He was the team's preferred option in the backfield for most of the season, though. Hunt has 158 carries for 597 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 16 games, adding 15 receptions for 122 more yards and a TD through the air.

Monday, December 29, 11:07 PM

Across 16 games this season, Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith has recorded 265 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 55 touches. The 22-year-old's opportunities have been limited by the presence of veteran Chiefs backs Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco, who have dominated the team's rushing work for most of the 2025 season. Over his last seven games, Smith has logged just four carries. However, Smith has seen a larger role in the Kansas City passing game. In Week 17, Smith earned four targets from Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun and hauled in his first receiving touchdown of the season. With Oladukun likely in line to make his second start of the season in Week 18 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Smith could continue to see work as a pass-catcher. In deep PPR fantasy leagues, Smith may be worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into Week 18.