Should I Draft Isiah Pacheco or Travis Etienne Jr. in Fantasy Football This Year?
Fantasy football drafts initially showed Travis Etienne Jr. and Isiah Pacheco separated by a full round in ADP (Average Draft Position) when they opened in July. Since then, the gap has narrowed significantly, with Pacheco's ADP rising into the late second round, gaining momentum.
Both players, entering their age-25 seasons at their peak, are versatile running backs with a strong potential to finish as top-10 options at the position. While there might not be a definitively "wrong" choice between drafting Pacheco or Etienne, one is projected to be better than the other.
Pacheco, previously seen as a value pick in the late third round, now carries a late second-round ADP. This price, while still acceptable, is no longer a "must draft" bargain. He currently trails only Etienne and Derrick Henry in ADP among running backs, residing in the same tier. The author suggests the cheapest player within a tier often presents value.
Following elite wide receivers typically taken in the first half of Round 1, Pacheco is argued to be a strong roster addition. The author views him as a high-floor play with the potential for top-five running back production if circumstances align favorably.
Pacheco's usage during the Chiefs' Super Bowl run is highlighted as a key indicator, where he averaged 20.3 touches per game and caught all his targets, demonstrating the team's trust in him within their elite offense. Analyst Adam Levitan's tweet underscores Pacheco's potential for a significantly increased Year 3 workload, citing factors like minimal additions to the running back room, Jerick McKinnon remaining a free agent, Clyde Edwards-Helaire's lack of usage, and the Chiefs leading the NFL in screen targets.
Pacheco's impressive yards after contact (YAC) on rushing attempts is expected to continue, aided by the space created due to defenses focusing on Patrick Mahomes. While appreciating this stability, the author notes Pacheco's receiving growth in 2023 (nine games with at least three catches, a significant jump from his rookie target average) provides confidence in drafting him, especially in an era where two-down running backs struggle for consistent fantasy relevance. The article concludes by noting only one player achieved at least 50 catches and 1,100 rushing yards last season, who is typically the top overall fantasy pick.
06-05 11:18Views 5931Likes 2104