Who Should I Start? Isiah Pacheco or Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Saturday, August 23, 4:27 AM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco found the endzone in the 27-29 loss to the Chicago Bears. Pacheco handled three carries for 21 yards and a touchdown in the game. The hard-nosed runner found paydirt on the Chiefs first drive of the game, punching it in from two yards out. Two of Pacheco's three carries came on the first drive, but his longest run came on the team's third drive. The 26-year-old does appear to be operating as the team's lead back, but the extent of his workload remains to be seen. Kareem Hunt also handled three carries in this game, including a goal-line opportunity on the first drive. Pacheco appears to be the most valuable Kansas City running back on the roster, but his upside will be capped if Hunt continues to play a sizeable role.

Thursday, August 28, 9:33 PM

Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic writes that it's "still too early to know" how much playing time Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt will receive early in the season. Croskey-Merritt was one of the breakout stars of training camp, and the Commanders seemingly cleared a spot for him by trading away incumbent back Brian Robinson Jr. However, Washington still has an established veteran in Austin Ekeler to play passing downs, and third-year back Chris Rodriguez Jr. is expected to earn touches as well. There's a pathway for Croskey-Merritt to seize the lead role in Washington at some point this season, but the Commanders may open the season with more of a committee approach. Croskey-Merritt has fantasy RB2 upside. Still, managers should draft the 24-year-old expecting RB3/flex production.