Isiah Pacheco’s Fantasy Profile: The End of the RB1 Tier

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is widely recognized for his intensely physical, "angriest runner" style in the NFL. While this is his hallmark, his demonstrated versatility in 2023 positions him as a potential top-10 fantasy running back soon. The key question for fantasy managers is whether to expect further growth from the Chiefs' lead back in 2024 or a repeat of his strong second season.

Pacheco's current Average Draft Position (ADP) is 20th overall, making him the RB10. With minimal competition for touches in the Kansas City backfield, an RB1 season is a realistic outcome. His ADP has risen significantly from the late third round earlier in the draft process to the late second round, a price deemed reasonable though not a "must draft" value. He trails only Travis Etienne Jr. and Derrick Henry in RB ADP; while justifiable to take him over either, they are considered in the same tier.

Pacheco offers more versatility than Henry and benefits from a superior offensive environment compared to Etienne. However, his scoring potential is lower than Henry's, and he is unlikely to match Etienne's target volume. For managers drafting elite receivers early in the first round, Pacheco presents a strong RB addition with an elevated floor and the potential for top-five production if circumstances align favorably.

Although postseason performance doesn't count for fantasy, it provides valuable insight into player usage. During the Chiefs' Super Bowl run, Pacheco received a significant workload, averaging 20.3 touches per game and catching all his targets, indicating the team's high trust in him within their elite offense.

Pacheco's ability to gain yards after contact (YAC) is a consistent strength, aided by the defensive focus on Patrick Mahomes creating running lanes. His development as a pass-catcher in 2023 is crucial, boosting confidence in his fantasy value despite the trend favoring receiving backs, as he operates within one of the NFL's best offenses at the peak of his abilities.