Isiah Pacheco ‘ready’ for Chiefs’ third-down RB role

With the coachspeak and player-driven hype already intensifying before the 2024 NFL season, Brad Evans examines some of the bolder claims to guide fantasy managers and sports bettors to profitability.

The Claim: Referencing the third-down RB role with the Chiefs, head coach Andy Reid remarked to reporters Friday: “(Isiah Pacheco is) ready to be able to do all that. He’s good with the protections, he’s good with the technique and fundamentals, he can run all the routes, he’s got great hands.”

B.S. Barometer: 1.5 (1 = buyable; 5 = a heaping pile).

The Spin: When it comes to player deployment, Reid has been a fairly straight shooter over the years. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who logged 22.5% of the team snaps last season for the reigning Super Bowl champions, will supplant Pacheco on occasion, but the experienced battering ram is the franchise's unrivaled No. 1 — in all facets.

Last year while earning 72.4% of the opportunity share, the Rutgers rambler tucked inside the position’s top 15 in 0.5 PPR fantasy points per game. His advanced analytics were also tasty. According to Pro Football Focus, Pacheco ranked RB21 in YAC per attempt, RB20 in total missed tackles forced (in 14 games) and RB18 in yards created per touch (3.59).]In non-numbers speak, “The Punisher” runs with the violent streak of an incensed rhino. When tucking the rock, he seriously doles out the destruction.

Whether examining film or the metrics, Pacheco underwent noticeable growth as a pass catcher in 2023. On nearly 9.9% of the team target share, he totaled an outstanding 89.8% catch rate (second-highest among qualifying RBs), 8.1 YAC per reception (RB28) and 1.27 yards per route run (RB20). His 44 receptions for 244 yards substantially boosted the overall profile.

Given his bone-rattling nature, Pacheco’s injury risk ranks up there with untrained dudes running the 40-yard dash for fantasy draft position. If no unexpected “pops” occur, he could approach 55 receptions in arguably the best offense in the league. Throw in around 1,050 rushing yards and 11-13 total touchdowns, and he’s still undervalued at his current 35.59 ADP (RB11). And that could be baseline production.

The Chiefs have the fifth-easiest projected strength of schedule for fantasy RBs, a top-10 offensive line and some guy named Mahomes. Last season, Pacheco saw a stacked front on only 12.2% of snaps.

Listen to Kansas City’s wise walrus. Pacheco will pay enormous dividends for fantasy managers who invest in him.

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