Missing in action over Weeks 2 and 3, Isiah Pacheco burst back onto the scene against the Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football. The rookie logged double-digit carries and averaged 5.7 yards per rush, though it was Clyde Edwards-Helaire who stole the show with two touchdowns.
Not knowing what to really expect from Pacheco on a week-to-week basis, how should fantasy managers should treat him? Our experts weigh in below on whether he’s a worthy add this week.
Sean Koerner: Pacheco saw an increase in usage thanks to what turned out to be a blowout against the Bucs. They ended up only winning by 10 points, but this game was out of reach early on.
Pacheco is a high-upside backup who probably should have already been a bench stash. I wouldn’t go overboard in trying to get him now that his asking price is quite high.
He’s not someone you can necessarily trust to start this week (opened as my RB53), but he offers RB2 upside in the event Edwards-Helaire misses time.
Samantha Previte: It was the Edwards-Helaire show early against the Bucs as the Year 3 back had two quick touchdowns on back-to-back drives. Pacheco was also heavily involved with 11 carries for 63 yards — his most significant involvement since Week 1.
The rookie seems talented enough to carve out a role that could be complementary to Edwards-Helaire, whose touchdown scoring seems a bit unsustainable.
For now, Pacheco is a stash candidate and at the very minimum, an insurance policy.
Chris Raybon: Pacheco is worth a speculative add in all leagues because the rookie’s role is expected to grow as the season progresses. He had his second multi-carry game of the year in Week 4, but he ran a route on only 12% of the dropbacks (a season high).
Pacheco will be no more than a RB4/5 for Week 5, but I expect him to eventually surpass Jerick McKinnon. Andy Reid is always unpredictable with his backfield usage, so it’s possible Pacheco has games in which he’s featured over Edwards-Helaire.
If Edwards-Helaire went down at some point, Pacheco is more likely than McKinnon to assume the lead back role.
