Isiah

Pacheco

2023: With Jerick McKinnon running on fumes and fourth-year pro Clyde Edwards-Helaire fading further into obscurity, Pacheco easily controlled the Chiefs’ backfield, averaging nearly 70 yards rushing while pumping up his rookie receptions total from 13 to 44. Top 10 in average yards over expected, Pacheco remained efficient on the ground. He was far less so through the air, where his 5.5 yards per reception didn’t cut it, even for a running back. Arguably the league’s most violent runner, Pacheco missed three games with injury, and he was limited for parts of others.

What’s changed: McKinnon is gone. CEH somehow remains. That’s good news, of course, as Edwards-Helaire is not legitimate touch competition. Only stunt signing/rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit was “added.” This is an all-systems-go setup for Pacheco despite his pass-catching inefficiency. 

Outlook: Pacheco’s longevity and all-around skill-set are up for debate, but he heads into 2024 with a high-end RB2 floor and mid-range RB1 ceiling.