Kansas City Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco is described by many as the angriest runner in the NFL, and it’s hard to argue. While his physical running style is his calling card, the pride of Rutgers displayed the type of versatility in 2023 that could make Pacheco a top-10 running back in fantasy football sooner than later.
Should managers be banking on even more growth for KC’s lead back, or is a repeat of Pacheco’s second season the most likely outcome in 2024?
Should You Select Isiah Pacheco at His Current ADP?
ADP: 20th Overall (RB10)
Without much in the way of competition for touches in Kansas City’s backfield, an RB1 season is very much in the range of outcomes for Pacheco.
He was a cheat code early in the draft process when he could be had in the late third round, but Pacheco’s ADP continues to rise to where it should be. He’s now considered a late second-round pick, a price that is still palatable, but not a “must draft” price tag.
Pacheco is just trailing Travis Etienne Jr. and Derrick Henry in terms of ADP at the position. You could justify taking him over either of them, but they’re in the same tier for me.
Pacheco offers more versatility than Henry and a better offensive environment than Etienne. However, his scoring upside trails that of Henry, and his target count will likely fall short of Etienne’s.
Elite receivers occupy the first half of Round 1 in most fantasy drafts. Assuming that’s the case for you, any of these running backs are a strong addition to your roster. I’d argue for Pacheco as an elevated floor play that also carries the potential to flirt with top-five production at the position if everything runs out in his favor.
Pacheco’s Fantasy Profile for the 2024 NFL Season
The postseason doesn’t count for fantasy football purposes, but we can very much use it as a learning tool. Think of the playoffs as truth serum — when all the chips are in the middle of the table, how specific players are used can be enlightening when it comes to their future with the team.
During their run to a second straight Super Bowl, Pacheco was handed the ball 20.3 times per game and caught every one of his targets. In an offense with one of the best to ever do it under center, they called Pacheco’s number early and often.
Isiah Pacheco gets some big blocks and finds the end zone. 😤 @isiah_pachecoRB
📺: #KCvsNYJ on NBC⁰📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/cLJQ8MOopx pic.twitter.com/Kggr7MHXay
— NFL (@NFL) October 2, 2023
It’s hard to overstate how impressive that is. And with the Rutgers product at the peak of his powers, there’s no reason to bet against him in what figures again to be one of the best offenses in the NFL.
The YAC (yards after contact) on rushing attempts is here to stay as long as he’s healthy. Pacheco is a downhill runner who often has space to operate due to the respect given to Patrick Mahomes. I love that stability, but in an era where few two-down running backs consistently grace fantasy lineups, Pacheco’s growth as a pass catcher in 2023 has me confident in paying for his services this season.
Last season, Pacheco had nine games with at least three grabs — not bad for a player who averaged under a target per game as a rookie. There was one player last season with at least 50 catches and 1,100 rushing yards, and he happens to be the 1.01 pick in most fantasy leagues. Why can’t Pacheco hit those benchmarks in 2024?