Who Should I Start? Elijah Mitchell or Isiah Pacheco

Friday, September 5, 7:20 PM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Elijah Mitchell is a healthy inactive for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Friday night in Brazil against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. It's bad news for Mitchell heading into his first year with the Chiefs, as it looks like he's the RB4 to open the year, behind starter Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt and rookie Brashard Smith. The 27-year-old was getting some first-team reps early in training camp, but that was a long time ago in late July. Mitchell signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with KC in the offseason after spending his first three NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. In his three years in the Bay Area, the former sixth-rounder in 2021 out of Louisiana averaged 4.7 yards per tote on 327 rush attempts for 1,523 yards and nine touchdowns (five in his rookie season).

Saturday, December 6, 5:03 AM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco only handled three carries for 16 yards in last week's loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but he should handle more work this week. The 26-year-old returned from his knee injury in Week 13, which explains his light workload, but his playing time should increase against the tough Houston defense in Week 14. The Texans defense has allowed the 10th-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season, making it a tough spot for Pacheco amid a split backfield. Pacheco also popped up on the injury report with a knee injury, but was a full participant in practice all week and is good to go for the weekend. The second-year back was pulling away with the lead role before his injury, so the split could lean in his direction eventually, but it is difficult to say when that might be. Pacheco is ranked RB46 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a tough player to start this week.