Who Should I Start? Isiah Pacheco or Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Isiah Pacheco News
Saturday, June 27, 8:04 AM
The Detroit Lions have made it clear that running back Jahmyr Gibbs will be their bell-cow back in 2026, which means that newcomer Isiah Pacheco must prepare for a backup role in his new digs, according to Kory Woods of MLive Media Group. Pacheco, who won two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs, signed a one-year deal with Detroit to replace David Montgomery, who was traded to the Houston Texans in early March. The 27-year-old former seventh-rounder in 2022 out of Rutgers started 31 of 34 games in the last three seasons in KC, but he's preparing for a much different role in Detroit. He's looking at a drastically reduced role in the Lions' backfield, especially after dealing with injuries in recent seasons. Pacheco missed nine games in 2024 with a broken right fibula and missed a month with an MCL sprain in 2024. In his first two years in the league, Pacheco averaged at least 4.6 yards per carry, but that number has dropped to 3.8 yards per attempt the last two years. Pacheco is committed to his new role behind Gibbs, but he has tumbled to No. 44 in RotoBaller's RB rankings for the 2026 campaign, making him more of a handcuff for Gibbs' managers.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Chris Rodriguez Jr. News
Monday, July 6, 5:07 PM
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen loved running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. when the pair were together at the University of Kentucky, so The Athletic's Jeff Howe says not to be surprised if the "power ball-carrier carves out an important role" in his first year with the team in 2026. The former sixth-rounder in 2023 had 920 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in three seasons with the Washington Commanders. It was nothing to write home about, but Howe thinks we should be prepared for C-Rod "to be an important piece of the offense in 2026." Last year's RB1 in Jacksonville, Travis Etienne Jr., left in free agency, so Rodriguez and Bhayshul Tuten figure to compete for the majority of backfield touches in Duvall this year. Second-year back LeQuint Allen Jr. figures to see most of the pass-catching work in an increased Year 2 role, but Rodriguez could be used often on early downs and in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Tuten is still the better home run hitter/upside back for fantasy managers, but don't be surprised if Rodriguez is in play as an RB3/flex in the right matchups in his first year in Jacksonville. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 42 RB for 2026.
Isiah Pacheco vs. Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Still trying to decide between Pacheco and Rodriguez Jr.? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Isiah Pacheco is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Chris Rodriguez Jr. is projected to score 0.0 points.
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