Who Should I Start? Isiah Pacheco or Kyren Williams

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.

Sunday, May 4, 1:58 PM

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams doesn't think he has reached his ceiling despite back-to-back 1,100-yard rushing seasons. Williams has also added an impressive 26 total touchdowns the last two years. "I don't feel like I've touched my peak yet. I've gotten to where I wanted to be, but I'm determined to make this my best season," Williams said. The 24-year-old former fifth-rounder in 2022 remains hungry for more production as he enters the final year of his rookie deal in 2025 with the Rams. L.A. could involve backup Blake Corum behind Williams more in his second year in the league, but Williams remains the team's unquestioned RB1 as long as he's healthy, and he should be considered a solid midrange RB1 option in fantasy drafts this fall. In 16 regular-season games in 2024, Williams was the RB6 in half-PPR scoring with 1,299 rushing yards and 14 rushing TDs on 316 carries.