As if the 10-1, two-time reigning champion Chiefs needed extra help, they are about to get a boost this Friday.
Star running back Isiah Pacheco was a full participant in practice Tuesday and is set to make his long-awaited return. The third-year pro missed nine games with an ankle injury suffered late in the Week 2 matchup against Cincinnati. The Rutgers product ran for 935 yards in just 13 starts last season, adding a stable element on the ground to the incredibly dynamic KC attack.
In his absence, the organization turned to familiar face Kareem Hunt to take over Pacheco’s workload. The veteran rusher has been a temporary bell cow with a near-monopoly over the backfield. With Pacheco back in the fold, which runner will be a better fantasy option going forward?
Pacheco is still RB1
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy suggested that Hunt and Pacheco will be used depending on the situation, and both will have opportunities to get the rock.
KC is fourth in EPA per rush but 21st in total rushing yards. Why? Because Kareem Hunt is a wildly inefficient ball carrier. He’s averaging just 3.7 yards per attempt, his third-straight season falling below the four-yard threshold.
He’s a big body who requires multiple defenders to bring down, but his rapidly defining foot speed outweighs this pro. Hunt has no acceleration ability and rarely even gets to the second level. His size helps near the goal line, where he’s punched in five touchdowns, but his inability to even threaten to break off a big play is a major concern.
Pacheco is a much younger, more effective alternative bruiser who can shed tackles. He, too, lacks home run ability but wears out a front seven with his physical style. Pacheco is also an underrated pass catcher and was shaping up to be a valuable member in the receiving game before he went down.
Hunt being a touchdown vulture is a scary premise in the next few outings, especially if the club is cautious with Pacheco. It shouldn’t take long before the snap differential isn’t close, with Pacheco returning to RB1 and Hunt used sparingly.
In DFS, you should avoid both until Andy Reid sorts out the timeshare. In standard formats, both are deep FLEX plays this week against Las Vegas, with Pacheco getting the slight edge between the pair. I’d bench both for now, but be prepared to turn to Pacheco in the near future.
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