The NFL was kind enough to give us two standalone games to open the 2025 season. The second of those games takes place tonight in Brazil between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Can fantasy football managers trust the Chiefs’ backfield in Week 1? Here is everything you need to know about running backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt.
Isiah Pacheco Fantasy Outlook
Isiah Pacheco enters 2025 carrying the weight of an injury-shortened 2024 campaign that raised legitimate questions about his ceiling. The former seventh-round pick started strong last season, posting 15.8 and 16.1 fantasy points in the first two games before suffering a broken fibula that sidelined him for nine weeks.
After returning in Week 13, Pacheco clearly wasn’t the same player who had established himself as Kansas City’s feature back. The Chiefs attempted to restore his lead role, but he struggled to regain his signature violent running style. He finished the season averaging just 8.1 points per game, a far cry from his previous production levels.
The concerning performance raised questions about whether the injury was entirely to blame or if Pacheco’s success was more fragile than initially believed. Fantasy managers clearly harbored reservations, as his average draft position dropped three to four rounds compared to 2024, reflecting skepticism about his ability to return to form.
FIRST HOME TD OF THE SEASON‼️ pic.twitter.com/t52pOraOkO
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) August 23, 2025
However, preseason reports paint a more optimistic picture. Observers noted that Pacheco looked like his old self during camp, running with the explosion and violence that made him a fan favorite. He appeared fully healthy and even carried added weight to help withstand a full season’s workload.
The matchup against Los Angeles presents a reasonable test for Pacheco’s return. Last season, the Chargers allowed the 16th-most fantasy points per game to running backs, representing an average defensive showing that shouldn’t overwhelm a healthy Chiefs ground game.
Kareem Hunt Fantasy Outlook
Kareem Hunt’s presence complicates Pacheco’s outlook significantly, as the veteran proved he could still contribute when given volume. After Pacheco’s injury, Hunt emerged as a reliable workhorse, seeing 20-plus carries in every game from Weeks 5-9 and averaging 18.0 fantasy points per game during his most productive stretch.
However, Hunt’s success was almost entirely volume-dependent rather than efficiency-based. He averaged just 3.6 yards per carry and posted a 4.1 yards per touch that ranked outside the top 50 among qualifying backs. His 16.1% evaded tackles rate ranked 46th in the league, highlighting his limitations as a pure runner.
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This backfield becomes even murkier when considering Andy Reid’s historical preference for specialized third-down backs. Pacheco earned only a 6.5% target share last season, suggesting he doesn’t profile as a three-down workhorse. This creates opportunities for Hunt to carve out meaningful snaps in passing situations.
The veteran back also factors into goal-line considerations, as Kansas City showed willingness to use him in short-yardage situations during preseason action. Hunt’s familiarity with Reid’s system and proven ability to handle volume make him a legitimate threat to Pacheco’s touchdown opportunities.
Should You Start Pacheco or Hunt This Week?
Hunt represents the clearer decision of the two Chiefs backs, as fantasy managers should avoid starting him under any circumstances in Week 1. His role remains too undefined, and his efficiency limitations make him entirely touchdown-dependent for fantasy relevance.
Even with potential goal-line opportunities, Hunt’s ceiling appears capped in what projects as a committee approach.
Pacheco presents a more borderline decision but leans toward being startable despite the concerns. His preseason showing suggests the injury recovery is complete, and his established role as Kansas City’s primary early-down back provides a reasonable floor. The Chargers’ middle-of-the-pack run defense offers a manageable matchup for his return.
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The key factor supporting Pacheco centers on volume expectations rather than efficiency projections. Even if he splits carries with Hunt, Pacheco should see enough touches to justify fantasy consideration. His goal-line opportunities and potential for big plays create multiple paths to double-digit fantasy points.
However, fantasy managers should temper expectations for explosive performances. The combination of rust, committee concerns, and Hunt’s presence suggests Pacheco’s ceiling may be limited in his first game back. He profiles more as a low-end RB2 option than a difference-maker for Week 1.
The ideal approach involves starting Pacheco if he represents one of your better options while avoiding Hunt entirely. Pacheco’s established role and health reports make him the safer play, even if both backs carry notable risk factors heading into the season opener.
