Four heroes from KC Chiefs win over Las Vegas Raiders

Isiah Pacheco

Shortly before the 2022 NFL Draft, general manager Brett Veach spoke highly of the depth of running backs in this class and predicted that a late-round pick could end up being a 1,000-yard back. Little did anyone know, Veach was likely talking about a guy who would be his own pick and that’s Isiah Pacheco out of Rutgers.

It took quite some time for the team to feel comfortable enough to give Pacheco starter’s reps. In fact, it required a Clyde Edwards-Helaire injury to open the door, but once he did, Pacheco took over and never looked back. And it’s not even that the Chiefs have given him all that much responsibility when you look closer.

Against the Raiders in Week 18, Pacheco put up 64 yards on only 8 carries on the ground to help propel the offense to a big lead that the Chiefs never gave away. He also had 1 of three scores on the ground as the Chiefs found great success in the red zone.

But here’s the thing about Pacheco. He moves the chains like no one else on the roster and holds a healthy 4.7 yards/carry average. He also passes the eye test as someone who runs tough after making first contact. For a guy who didn’t start playing serious minutes until the second half of the year, the fact that he’s nearing 1K yards from scrimmage tells the story.