Is Jerick McKinnon, Isiah Pacheco, or Clyde Edwards-Helaire the Chiefs RB1? Fantasy Football Outlook

May 5, 2023

Who among Isiah Pacheco, Jerick McKinnon, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be the starting running back for the Kansas City Chiefs? Who among them offers the best upside in fantasy football?

The Kansas City Chiefs currently have five running backs under contract. That’s the correct number, considering injuries at the position over the years have plagued them. But if the narrative continues, Isiah Pacheco will continue his role as RB1.

The seventh-round draft pick took over the injured Clyde Edwards-Helaire and never looked back. He finished his rookie season with 170 carries for 830 yards and five touchdowns. He was impressive during Super Bowl LVII, tallying 76 yards and a touchdown.

If year one is only a preview, then Pacheco is primed for a more dominant sophomore season. However, his penchant for seeking contact instead of avoiding it may take a toll on his performance down the line. Even then, he will be a reliable fantasy option at running back.

If Pacheco is Number One, Who is Number Two?

Meanwhile, Jerick McKinnon deserves to be the second running back in the depth chart after a resurgent season. He has established himself as the Chiefs’ premiere receiving back with 512 yards and nine touchdowns. He complements Pacheco’s power running, and the Chiefs are getting a ton of value from his production at a team-friendly cost. He also offers excellent fantasy football value as a flex option.

Unfortunately, Edwards-Helaire might be the odd man out because the Chiefs declined his fifth-year option. While it doesn’t mean he won’t play for Kansas City beyond 2023, that decision indicates they are allowing him to test free agency.

The Chiefs also brought in La’Mical Perine and undrafted free agent Deneric Prince. It’s difficult to see Kansas City going with five running backs in their 53-man roster. Therefore, one of them might be relegated to the practice squad. Prince offers a good combination of size and speed, giving him an edge over Perine.

Opponents are doomed if he turns out to be as good or better than Pacheco. Defenders will be worn out in slowing them down, and the Chiefs can switch to a power-running team against teams with weak defensive fronts.

Are the Chiefs done with signing running backs?

Pacheco did make a subtle plea to Ezekiel Elliott to come in and compete for a role in the Chiefs’ roster. The former Rutgers standout is willing to compete against the running back he looked up to when he was growing up.

The question, though, is whether the Chiefs will be interested in bringing him in. He’s still worth the shot, considering he had 876 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns last season. But if he does make the team, he would have to take a salary way lower than what he earned with the Dallas Cowboys.

Having Elliott would be nice insurance coming into the 2023 season. But for now, Kansas City is good to go with who they have in the backfield. Signing Elliott will be enticing if the injury bug bites Pacheco, McKinnon, or Edwards-Helaire.

Besides, it's like the Chiefs always have a running back on the field, even in a spread formation, thanks to the scrambling ability of Patrick Mahomes.

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