Isiah Pacheco’s return to the Chiefs’ backfield comes with question marks. After a 2023 shoulder cleanup and a concussion, he battled a Week 2 fibula fracture in 2024 and a rib injury later that season, costing him multiple games. A preseason photo showed him with a noticeably larger, more defined frame, fueling chatter that extra muscle could help him absorb hits and stay on the field. KC officials still list him at 216 pounds, though observers believe he may carry more mass now.

Despite durability concerns, Pacheco flashed as a rookie, grinding out 830 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. If he can stay healthy, his role in a loaded Chiefs offense could be substantial, with goal-line carries and early-down work potentially fueling fantasy upside. The bigger frame might translate to more yards after contact, but teams will watch for any speed or agility trade-offs. The early indicators suggest a high-upside, high-variance path for fantasy managers.

In a broader sense, Pacheco’s health and conditioning will shape Kansas City’s ground-game blueprint this season. The preseason glimpses align with a narrative of a motivated, durable back ready to reclaim a feature-back role, assuming medical clearance holds. For fantasy, the calculus hinges on his ability to dodge injuries while maintaining the workload that made him a standout rookie on a title-contending roster.

Five one-man backfields to fade in 2025 fantasy drafts: Mixon, Pacheco, Conner, Hubbard, and Kamara. Each carries clear risk—injury histories, age, or questionable offensive outlook—that could derail even big-volume seasons. The piece emphasizes price discipline and targeted fades, warning against overpaying for a bell-cow role in a league that leans toward committees and evolving game plans. It also hints at viable fliers in nearby depth charts, but insists the focus remains on avoiding overvalued workhorses in 2025.

Joe Mixon anchors the Texan backfield but opens with a foot injury and age concerns, plus Nick Chubb’s arrival and Woody Marks in reserve. Isiah Pacheco has momentum but faces questions about explosiveness post-injury and a scarcer Chiefs ceiling, with Kareem Hunt pushing for touches. James Conner, Chuba Hubbard, and Alvin Kamara each carry aging factors, potential leash limits, or stacked committees in 2025—Conner’s age and risk, Hubbard’s competition with Brooks and Dowdle, Kamara’s injury history and Saints’ uncertain offense. The thrust: fade premium prices for these names and seek clearer paths to steady fantasy floor upside elsewhere.

The Kansas City Chiefs are poised to revamp their running game, which struggled to rank 26th in yards per game last season. The addition of Elijah Mitchell is expected to inject speed and explosiveness into an otherwise stagnant rushing attack, previously reliant on Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco. Coming off an injury that sidelined him for the entire 2024 season, Mitchell's performance in offseason activities has been promising. With his integration into the lineup, the Chiefs aim to reinvigorate their ground game in the upcoming season.

Kareem Hunt is making a strong impression as he rejoins the Kansas City Chiefs after a successful stint last season where he filled in for Isiah Pacheco due to injury. Hunt posted solid stats with 728 rushing yards and seven touchdowns over 13 games, despite being signed mid-season and missing two offseasons. This time, he is entering training camp in excellent shape, having trained throughout the offseason. Head coach Andy Reid noted the significant improvement in Hunt's fitness and expects him to have a big impact.

Hunt's ability to blend seamlessly into the Chiefs' dynamic offense, especially with Patrick Mahomes at the helm, positions him as a potential standout in the upcoming season. His familiarity with the system and the talent surrounding him could lead to elevated production, making him a valuable asset for fantasy football enthusiasts looking for reliable contributors in their rosters.

The Kansas City Chiefs struggled to establish a consistent run game during the previous season, finishing 26th overall in rushing yards per game. The situation was exacerbated when Isiah Pacheco, expected to lead the ground attack, suffered an injury in Week 2. His absence forced the team to rely on a committee approach, but none could replicate Pacheco's explosiveness. Despite these challenges, the Chiefs will look to bolster their offensive line and improve their run-blocking schemes for the coming season.