Who Should I Start? Isiah Pacheco or Jaylen Warren

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.

Friday, February 7, 12:30 PM

The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to tender an offer to impending restricted free-agent running back Jaylen Warren this offseason, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac. Dulac also goes on to say that he thinks there's a strong chance the Steelers will re-sign fellow RB Najee Harris despite the fact that the team didn't pick up the former first-rounder's fifth-year option. Warren, a former undrafted free agent, has played more of a secondary role to Harris in his first three years in the NFL, but he's been extremely productive with his limited opportunities, averaging 4.8 yards per carry on 346 rushing attempts for 1,674 rushing yards in 48 games. Placing a tender on Warren would give the Steelers a backup option in case the don't end up bringing Harris back. If Warren returns to Pittsburgh and Harris does not, Warren could be the team's lead back in 2025.