Week 4: Smith and Sutton among standout SMU players in NFL
Week 4 was a massive week of production for SMU alums in the NFL. Courtland Sutton lit up Monday Night Football, Brashard Smith finally got to break out some, and many others made headlines for a solid Week 4 performance.
Here’s the Week 4 update for SMU Players in the NFL…
Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
We’re heading into Week 5 and Sutton has been nothing short of fabulous. The WR continued to find the endzone in the Broncos Monday Night Football showdown and led the Broncos in receiving yards, catching five of six targets for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Sutton talked to ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt after the game to reflect on his production and finding his rhythm with QB Bo Nix and how he is now landing a role as one of the leagues top receivers.
Check out Sutton’s major plays in the game below…
Sutton will continue to be Nix’s go-to guy, especially approaching a matchup with the Super Bowl Champion Eagles next up.
Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Four weeks down, two to go! Rice is still serving a six-week suspension initiated at the beginning of the season.
After finally snagging a win over the Giants in Week 3, the Chiefs racked up another W this week over Baltimore, winning 37-20.
Still, Rice should absolutely be on your radar as an SMU player in the NFL to watch for.
Brashard Smith, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Folks, the moment we’ve been waiting for may finally be arriving.
Smith had a breakout performance in the Chiefs blowout win over Baltimore and his load is very clearly picking up steam. The wideout-turned-RB tallied four carries for nine yards and pulled down three of four receptions for 27 yards during the Chiefs’ second win over Baltimore.
“We’ve been trying to increase some of his play time,” head coach Andy Reid said after Sunday’s game according to SI.com. “He’s got a lot of talent so we’re working him in different spots.”
Smith was vibing on the field in more than just a WR/RB role, he also showed face on special teams, returning two kickoffs for 55 yards, including a 34-yard burst to open the second half.
“I feel like we all have our own dynamic, and we’re getting along great,” Smith said in the locker room after Sunday’s win.
Even more notable are that his receptions came in the first half and were not just handed out in garbage time. On a 17-yard grab, Smith was duping defenders and even brought the team within FG range for K Harrison Butker.
Still, three of four of Smith’s carries came in the fourth quarter, but Smith is clearly getting more field time. The rookie saw 19 offensive snaps this game, the most he’s seen in his first four games.
“I know offensively, Nags [Matt Nagy] is just trying to increase Smith’s reps every week and putting him in positions where he can do some things. He seems to be handling it good,” Reid said according to Heavy.com.
“It feels great. This is my fourth game now, so I’m feeling great,” Smith said in the video below. “And I feel like we’re just going to keep on stacking. So I love it.”
We got you fired up on Brashard Smith in our preview of SMU players in the NFL at the start of the season, as one of two mustangs drafted in the 2025 Draft and now it’s very clear Smith is an SMU player in the NFL to keep an eye on in the Chiefs backfield and otherwise.
Brandon Stephens, CB, New York Jets
The cornerback continued to show production on Monday Night Football, but is in line with last week’s numbers, with eight total tackles, five being solo.
But maybe these stats aren’t showing all that is happening for the fifth-year veteran…
Signs of encouragement indeed.
On another note, their may be some team comradrie going on with Stephens & Co. as well.
Prior to the Jets Monday night game, the players did something unique. They held a secret player-led practice the day before, where no coaches were present, according to ESPN. Stephens weighed in on the practice and the importance of the Jets becoming a player-led team.
“It was personally different for me because I’ve never experienced that — having no coaches out there,” said Stephens. “It was great for us to lead the groups by ourselves.”
Keep an eye on Stephens stepping up into more of a role in the Jets D, especially as a veteran.
Kelvin Beachum, LT, Arizona Cardinals
Despite injury concerns last week, Kelvin Beachum did suit up for Thursday Night Football. The Cardinals would go on to lose 23-20 to the Seahawks.
Still, Beachum was able to have some fun on the field prior to the game with Thursday Sports’, Justin Pugh.
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Count Beachum in and ready for any ankle-grabbing plays upcoming.
Grant Calcaterra, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
Hello double digits! Calcaterra snagged one of two targets for 16 yards in Sunday’s matchup against the Bucs, where the Eagles went on to win 31-25.
Check out the second video to see Calcaterra’s grab from QB Jalen Hurts for an easy completion.
Still, there is improvement to come with Calcaterra. His blocking skills could certainly be honed in, but hopefully with some adjustments, this SMU player in the NFL can continue his uptick with the Eagles.
Elijah Roberts, DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Roberts joined the stat board Sunday with a single tackle in the Bucs 31-25 loss to the Eagles, but don’t be fooled by the small number. Head Coach Todd Bowles said the rookie is coming along well for the team.
“Elijah [Roberts] is coming on – he’s coming on [really] well,” Bowles said this week. “Obviously, with the pass rush he’s coming along, but he’s coming along in the run game and he’s playing fast.”
Check out the full On3 piece on Roberts production here.
Evan Brown, G, Arizona Cardinals
Like Beachum, Brown also was listed as questionable prior to Thursday Night’s game but did end up suiting up for the Cards game. No new stats to report, other than the lineman is healthy and back on the line ready to protect QB Kyler Murray.
Kylen Granson, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
Granson competes with fellow pony Calcaterra for grabs at the TE spot but this week was a goose egg for Granson, while Calcaterra had a 16 yard grab. Stay tuned for Week 5.
Charles Woods, CB, New England Patriots
Slowly but surely, Woods is upticking his numbers. He hits the stat board with two tackles and saw some time on special teams in the Pats big win over Carolina. Unfortunately, his time on special teams is when he received a friendly fire minor setback.
Check out the first video below to see the collision between Charles Woods and DE Milton Williams.
Woods was slightly shook up after the play, but was back on the sidelines shortly after and should be fine heading into Week 5.
Zach Wood, LS, New Orleans Saints
Week 4 and Wood is still snapper No. 1 and there’s not much else to report here.
Sure, long snapper isn’t exactly a position to watch out for in fantasy means, but in terms of Mustangs in the bigs, Wood joins this list as the third longest Pony in the league behind Beachum with nine seasons. Check out his extensive history with the Saints and why he’s a team captain for the Saints here.
Thomas Morstead, P, San Francisco 49ers
Morstead kicked off Week 4 vs. Jacksonville with 2 punts for an average of 45.5 yards, with his highest being a whopping 51 yards for a total of 91 yards.
Again… Punter, but hey — Not only is Morstead the most seasoned veteran on this list, entering his 16th season, he is reaching several career milestones due to his NFL longevity that most players never see. The punter is one of the oldest active players and will likely become the 10th punter to play in his 40s.
Practice Squad SMU players in the NFL:
Jared Harrison-Hunte, DE, Carolina Panthers
The defensive end didn’t make the first round of roster cuts, but joined the Panthers roster just in time for the regular season. Still, Harrison-Hunte is on the practice squad for the Panthers currently.
Jahfari Harvey, LDE, Las Vegas Raiders
Harvey also falls from the regular roster for the Raiders and is on the practice squad.
James Proche II, WR, Tennessee Titans
The Titans WR also has fallen to the practice squad. Proche II rounds out our list of Mustangs active in the NFL currently.
Here’s some guys you may have been looking for on this list that were dropped on waivers or cut…
Waived/Dropped SMU Players in the NFL
- Anthony Booker Jr (aka Tank Booker), DT, Las Vegas Raiders
- Brandon Crossley, CB, New England Patriots
- Roderick Daniels, WR, New Orleans Saints
- Moochie Dixon, WR, New Orleans Saints
- Danny Gray, WR, San Francisco 49ers
- Justin Osborne, OC, Cleveland Browns
- Key’Shawn Smith, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
