Who Should I Start? Raheem Mostert or Isiah Pacheco

Monday, March 17, 10:40 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders added veteran running back Raheem Mostert on a one-year deal last week in free agency, but ESPN's Ryan McFadden writes that the expectation is for the 32-year-old to be the team's No. 2 back and not the top guy. The Raiders could add another RB in free agency among the likes of Nick Chubb, Jamaal Williams, Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins, but the best path for the team adding to their backfield is to take advantage of a deep RB class in the draft. Vegas could take top RB Ashton Jeanty at No. 6 overall, but if they don't, there will be plenty of value options at the position later in the draft, including Iowa's Kaleb Johnson and Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. Henderson and Judkins both played for new Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who was the Buckeye's offensive coordinator last year.

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.