Tremon Smith number and position change (RB)

[Naptown Chief]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbs...ning-back/amp/

Chiefs make an interesting roster decision, move speedy cornerback to running back
By Jordan Dajani

Chiefs make an interesting roster decision, move speedy cornerback to running back
By Jordan Dajani 1h ago • 1 min read

The Kansas City Chiefs are making an interesting position change during training camp, as they are moving one of their speedy cornerbacks to running back.

On Wednesday, cornerback Tremon Smith was seen walking to practice sporting the No. 20, as opposed to his usual No. 39. Reports then surfaced that he had been moved to running back.

Smith was drafted by the Chiefs in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Central Arkansas product served as a kick returner during his rookie season, registering 33 returns for 886 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, he made five combined tackles and one pass defensed.

He's known for his speed, and ran a 4.3 40-yard dash time in college. The rookie had a special moment in Week 6 last year, when he returned a kick 97 yards against the New England Patriots and was taken down just a few short yards from the end zone. Smith clearly knows what to do with the ball in open space, and the Chiefs want to give him the chance to prove he can add something to the offense.

While the Chiefs cut ties with Kareem Hunt, they still have several viable options at running back. Damien Williams and Darrel Williams stepped up at the end of the season when Spencer Ware went down with a shoulder injury, and the team also added Carlos Hyde in March. Additionally, the Chiefs are working out undrafted rookies Marcus Marshall and Josh Caldwell, and sixth-round pick Darwin Thompson is also in the mix.

Establishing himself on the Chiefs' depth chart is a tall task for Smith if the team is serious about this switch to running back, but he has proven that he's a weapon with the ball in his hands.

Edit- Tidbits from Nate Taylor's article in The Athletic-
I'm not going to copy the entire article, but this is good info...

Reid also plans to have Smith continue to be the Chiefs’ primary kickoff returner, a role he excelled in last season, averaging 26.8 yards per attempt, the fourth-best average in the NFL.

In explaining his willingness to change positions, Smith said he first approached Reid about the possibility of playing snaps on offense early last season. Reid learned that Smith had been a first-team All-State quarterback at Saks High in Anniston, Ala., after the Chiefs selected him in the sixth round of last year’s NFL Draft. At Saks, Smith scored the most touchdowns in the school’s history.

“He went back and watched my senior year of high school,” Smith said of Reid. “You know Coach Reid, he’s a guru. Being in Coach Reid’s system, he’s going to find mismatches and find a way to get you open.”
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Also in the article..

Toub, who is also the Chiefs’ assistant head coach, mentioned to Reid a few weeks later that Smith possessed the skills to perhaps be another playmaker for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

The first test for Smith, however, was in early December when the Chiefs prepared to play the Baltimore Ravens. Reid asked Smith to watch film of the Ravens in order to mimic how quarterback Lamar Jackson operated the read-option offense in practice for the scout team. Smith did the task well enough that Reid praised him during the opening statement of his news conference the day following the Chiefs’ comeback victory.

Smith said Reid then began creating a package of plays. Smith spent time in practice as the quarterback in wildcat formations.

And then..

When the Chiefs’ veterans reported to camp Friday, Reid welcomed Smith with an intriguing message: “Hope you’ve been working on the offensive side,” Reid said.

“Of course, Coach,” Smith responded. “Always.”