Is Chiefs' 'Tasmanian Devil' Isiah Pacheco A Top 20 RB?

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco must be thinking this NFL football is an easy caper. He's claimed two Super Bowl rings in his first two seasons and will be looking for a third in 2024.

Having established himself as a bruising runner behind Patrick Mahomes, Pacheco has totaled 1,765 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in 31 games. He also averages a cool 4.7 yards per carry for good measure.

But with Pacheco on the verge of Pro Bowl status, does he make CBS Sports' list of the top 20 running backs in football? As it turns out, he does, but only just, coming in at No. 19.

"Isiah Pacheco runs like the Tasmanian Devil with his feet and body flying all different directions as he advances up field," CBS Sports writes . "His 1.52 yards before contact per rush, which ranked as the eighth most in the NFL among 35 running backs with at least 150 carries in 2023, indicate as much with defenses struggling to anticipate which direction he is initially headed."

With Pacheco as a runner and a solid outlet for the offense, adding another string to his bow in the passing game might be where he's headed in 2024.

Pacheco totaled 13 receptions in his rookie season and followed that up with 44 last year, so there is a clear want to get him more involved as a receiver.

The Chiefs brought in Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy this offseason to bring in a speed element to the offense, but we can't forget what Pacheco can do in open space either.

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If the Chiefs are to claim a historic third successive Super Bowl, Pacheco will need to perform better than the 19th-best running back in football.

And if he does, then come this time next year, he'll be significantly higher on CBS Sports' list.