E.J. Smith, the son of Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith, has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent following the2026 NFL Draft, marking a new chapter in his pursuit of a professional career in American football.
Despite not hearing his name called across the three-day draft, the running back has secured an opportunity with one of the NFL's most competitive and successful franchises, where he will now aim to earn a place on the 53-man roster ahead of the new season.
The Kansas City Chiefs moved quickly tobring in E.J. Smithafter the NFL Draft concluded, adding the running back to their roster as an undrafted free agent. The move gives Smith a chance to develop under head coach Andy Reid, a proven winner in the league, as he enters a highly competitive backfield. The Chiefs have regularly rotated players at running back in recent seasons, creating opportunities for new additions to compete for depth chart positions and special teams roles.
Smith's signing is viewed as a low-risk addition with developmental upside, particularly given Kansas City's track record of maximising depth players in key positions.
E.J. Smith, who turns 24 on 15 May, is a running back and the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher. His career has naturally attracted attention due to his family name, though he has spent his collegiate years working to establish an independent football identity.
Smith played college football at both Stanford Cardinal and Texas A&M Aggies, appearing in 48 games across his career. During that time, he recorded 969 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, primarily operating in a rotational role rather than as a featured starter.
His time at both programmes gave him exposure to different offensive systems and responsibilities, with his role often centred on depth support, short-yardage carries, and situational contributions. While he did not produce headline-grabbing statistics at the college level, his experience across two major programmes helped develop his understanding of scheme versatility and backfield rotation duties.
Despite pre-draft attention linked to his surname and collegiate background, E.J. Smith went unselected in all seven rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. His transition into the undrafted free agent market was swift, with the Kansas City Chiefs moving to secure his services shortly after the event concluded.
The signing places him in direct competition for a roster spot during training camp, where performance and adaptability will determine whether he remains with the team into the regular season.
Smith joins a Chiefs running back group that has seen significant turnover in recent seasons. The team continues to evaluate multiple options in the backfield, creating an open competition for depth roles. His pathway to the final roster will likely depend on his ability to contribute on special teams and demonstrate reliability during preseason opportunities.
Source: International Business Times UK
