If you thought Kansas City's receiving corps was complicated, check out its running back room. Clyde Edwards-Helaire seems to be the likely starter, but he'll probably be on a short leash, and there are a variety of contenders for roles. Including seventh-rounder Isiah Pacheco.
According to an NFL Network report, the rookie has been getting some work with the first team at training camp. This might say something about Pacheco, and it might also say something about the other running backs on the roster right now. Ronald Jones has his fans, and so does Jerick McKinnon. Derrick Gore is yet another possibility, and all three have had occasional moments in the NFL, McKinnon and Gore with Kansas City. But Pacheco must also be considered.
Pacheco has good size (5-10, 216) and ran a sub-4.4 40 at the combine. That was probably why he got drafted at all, having had a modest career at Rutgers, never running for 800 yards in a season (and managing just 3.9 yards per attempt last year). He caught 47 passes in four seasons, though again with modest impact. Last year his 13 receptions went for just 25 yards. So not an exciting profile, but maybe Kansas City has uncovered something. It's happened before.
Table below shows all the top-50 fantasy seasons (PPR) from 7th-round picks in the last 10 years. Most will remember the most impressive of those (statistically), from Justin Forsett for the Ravens back in 2014. But you've also got two guys who have had multiple top-25 seasons in the last four years: Chris Carson, and Myles Gaskin. Among others.
7TH-ROUND RUNNING BACKS POSTING TOP-50 SEASONS, 2012-2021 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Player | Att | Run | Avg | No | Rec | TD | Rk |
2014 | Justin Forsett, Balt. | 235 | 1266 | 5.4 | 44 | 263 | 8 | 8 |
2019 | Chris Carson, Sea. | 278 | 1230 | 4.4 | 37 | 266 | 9 | 12 |
2018 | Chris Carson, Sea. | 247 | 1151 | 4.7 | 20 | 163 | 9 | 15 |
2020 | Chris Carson, Sea. | 141 | 681 | 4.8 | 37 | 287 | 9 | 20 |
2012 | Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG | 221 | 1015 | 4.6 | 23 | 245 | 6 | 20 |
2015 | Rashad Jennings, NYG | 195 | 863 | 4.4 | 29 | 296 | 4 | 22 |
2014 | Ahmad Bradshaw, Ind. | 90 | 425 | 4.7 | 38 | 300 | 8 | 23 |
2013 | Rashad Jennings, Oak. | 163 | 733 | 4.5 | 36 | 292 | 6 | 24 |
2021 | Myles Gaskin, Mia. | 173 | 612 | 3.5 | 49 | 234 | 7 | 25 |
2020 | Myles Gaskin, Mia. | 142 | 584 | 4.1 | 41 | 388 | 5 | 25 |
2014 | Rashad Jennings, NYG | 167 | 639 | 3.8 | 30 | 226 | 4 | 29 |
2016 | Rashad Jennings, NYG | 181 | 593 | 3.3 | 35 | 201 | 4 | 36 |
2015 | Justin Forsett, Balt. | 151 | 641 | 4.3 | 31 | 153 | 2 | 42 |
2013 | Chris Ogbonnaya, Cle. | 49 | 240 | 4.9 | 48 | 343 | 2 | 42 |
2012 | Bryce Brown, Phil. | 115 | 564 | 4.9 | 13 | 56 | 4 | 43 |
2012 | Daryl Richardson, St.L. | 98 | 475 | 4.9 | 24 | 163 | 0 | 46 |
2012 | LaRod Stephens-Howling, Ariz. | 110 | 356 | 3.2 | 17 | 106 | 4 | 48 |
So it's rare, but it happens. Add another name into the running back battle for Kansas City. And with Edwards-Helaire looking like a pretty shaky No. 1, who knows. Pacheco merits late-round consideration right now.
--Andy Richardson