Who Should I Start? Zack Moss or Isiah Pacheco

Thursday, May 29, 1:27 PM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss (neck) was active and participating in the first voluntary organized team activity session on Tuesday. Moss played in only eight games (six starts) with the Bengals last year before landing on Injured Reserve with a neck injury. The 27-year-old averaged a career-low 3.3 yards per carry on 74 rushing attempts for 242 yards and two touchdowns before his season-ending injury. However, the Bengals only took running back Tahj Brooks in the sixth round of this year's draft and signed Samaje Perine in free agency, so Moss has a solid chance of opening the 2025 campaign as the top backup to Chase Brown. If Moss looks the same as he did last year with Cincinnati, though, both Perine and Brooks could jump him on the depth chart. At best, Moss is a handcuff option in the later rounds for those that select Brown.

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.