Who Should I Start? Isiah Pacheco or Ollie Gordon II

Friday, February 20, 10:44 AM

The Athletic's Jesse Newell writes that Kansas City Chiefs impending free-agent running back Isiah Pacheco is "likely to sign elsewhere" in free agency this offseason. Pacheco did not show his pre-injury burst out of the backfield in 2025, averaging 3.9 yards per carry while rushing for 462 yards and just one touchdown on 118 rushing attempts in 13 games played. He ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL scouting combine, but he hasn't shown that same speed after a productive first two seasons in the NFL. In addition to his declining speed, he hasn't established himself as a receiving threat out of the backfield, with his 44-catch season in 2023 looking like an outlier. On top of injuries the last two seasons, Pacheco's fantasy stock is down as he enters free agency. Pacheco's 2026 fantasy value will depend on where he's playing, but most likely, he'll be involved in some sort of timeshare after struggling the last two seasons.

Sunday, February 15, 10:05 AM

Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II saw his name linked to fantasy waiver wires throughout the year, but he ultimately spent most of his rookie season playing second, or even third fiddle to De'Von Achane. With a new head coach and offensive coordinator set to take over in Miami, many have speculated whether the sub-190-pound Achane will continue to handle bell-cow duties. Unfortunately for Gordon, even if Jeff Hafley and Bobby Slowik choose to preserve Achane by moving to a more committee-based approach, 23-year-old Jaylen Wright could stand in his way. After missing the first six weeks of the season as a result of injury and performance, Wright took over as the team's primary change-of-pace back behind Achane, out-touching Gordon 75 to 50. And when given work, Gordon's 2.8 yards per carry ranked among the league's worst. With Gordon's Doak Walker Award-winning season in 2023 now feeling a lifetime away, there were very few signs in 2025 that a sophomore breakout could be on its way.