Who Should I Start? DeAndre Hopkins or Isiah Pacheco

Tuesday, March 11, 7:18 PM

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and the Baltimore Ravens have agreed to terms on a one-year $5 million deal worth up to $6 million guaranteed. Despite the increased production from fourth-year wideout Rashod Bateman a season ago, Baltimore sought to bolster their wide receiver corps -- bringing a veteran presence into the locker room. Hopkins spent most of 2024 with Kansas City after a mid-season trade with the Tennessee Titans and racked up a 41-catch 437-yard line in ten games with four touchdowns. The 32-year-old is not the presence he once was on the outside, but he gives superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson another set of reliable hands. While Hopkins may still have some juice, he'll be competing with fellow wideout Zay Flowers and tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely for targets on a team that ranked second-to-last in pass attempts per game in 2024 (27.5).

Saturday, January 25, 4:25 AM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco has been a shell of his former self since returning from injury. Even when given the opportunity to start last week's contest, Pacheco remained inefficient and ceded work to veteran Kareem Hunt. The 25-year-old handled five carries for 18 yards against the Texans, compared to eight carries, 44 yards, and a touchdown for Hunt. Given the importance of the matchup and Pacheco's struggles, the Chiefs likely lean on Hunt as their workhorse back in the AFC Championship game this Sunday. Kansas City will face the potent Buffalo Bills in Arrowhead to determine who will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. With the Chiefs searching for a historic three-peat, the stakes are too high to rely on Pacheco. The second-year back should not be viewed as a start-worthy asset in fantasy playoff leagues and should be considered a dart-throw option in DFS leagues.