Who Should I Start? Isiah Pacheco or Jerome Ford

Sunday, June 1, 8:36 PM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco told the Kansas City Star's Jesse Newell that he focused on gaining weight this offseason to get closer to his shape at the NFL Combine. "Just going back to 216, 4.37 Isiah Pacheco-style," said Pacheco. The Rutgers product was excellent for Kansas City over his first two seasons, but a fibula fracture in Week 2 of 2024 would derail a fantastic start for him. Miraculously, he'd return in Week 13, but the 26-year-old was not his usual effective self. The missed time caused him to lean out, but head coach Andy Reid notes that Pacheco put on some "good weight" and is looking "tremendous" ahead of the 2025 season. There'll be more competition for him in the Chiefs' backfield this year. However, more time removed from an ugly injury should benefit him. It's unclear whether or not the added weight will be a boon to him. Still, he has an excellent chance at a bounce-back season.

Wednesday, July 30, 7:20 PM

Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN noticed that Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (undisclosed) progressed to participating in team drills at training camp practice on Wednesday. Ford returned in a limited capacity during Monday's practice but took a step forward on Wednesday by joining team drills. An undisclosed injury kept the 25-year-old out of practices for a week, but the Browns are now slowly easing him back into the fold. It's a bigger story this summer with rookie second-rounder Quinshon Judkins unsigned as he goes through the legal process due to domestic-violence charges. Ford will be splitting first-team reps with rookie Dylan Sampson now that he's back on the field, and he could see the majority of touches early in the 2025 season, depending on when Judkins' off-field situation is settled. Ford is currently ranked by RotoBaller as the RB53 in fantasy.