Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Devin Neal vs Isiah PachecoWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Isiah Pacheco is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.0 PPG to Devin Neal's 5.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Isiah Pacheco is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Isiah Pacheco and Devin Neal are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.3-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBNew Orleans Saints#57

Devin Neal

PPG

5.7

Games

Rush Yds

206

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

104

Bye

Week 8

RBKansas City Chiefs#54PPG LEADER

Isiah Pacheco

PPG

6.0

Games

Rush Yds

462

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

101

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Devin Neal

Isiah Pacheco

Head to Head

5.7 PPG6.0 PPG

9 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Devin Neal: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #57 at the position). Isiah Pacheco: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #54 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Devin Neal is producing at 26% of elite pace and Isiah Pacheco at 27%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Devin Neal vs Isiah Pacheco: The Full Breakdown

Devin Neal (5.7 PPG) and Isiah Pacheco (6.0 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two running backs are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Devin Neal played 9 games for the New Orleans Saints; Isiah Pacheco suited up 13 times for the Kansas City Chiefs.

A 0.3-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Devin Neal ran for 206 yards and 2 touchdowns; Isiah Pacheco posted 462 and 1. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Devin Neal sits Week 8 while Isiah Pacheco is off Week 5. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Devin Neal (age 22) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Isiah Pacheco (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Isiah Pacheco outscored Devin Neal by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Isiah Pacheco played 13 games in 2025 compared to Devin Neal's 9. That durability gap means Isiah Pacheco contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Devin Neal scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Devin Neal is 5 years younger than Isiah Pacheco (22 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Devin Neal vs Isiah Pacheco: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Devin Neal	Isiah Pacheco
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.7	6.0
Games Played	9	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	51	78
Rushing Yards	206	462
Rush Yds/Game	22.9	35.5
Rushing TDs	2	1
Receptions	17	19
Receiving Yards	104	101
Targets	19	26
Total TDs	2	2
Age	22	27
Experience	-	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 5

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Isiah Pacheco at 6.0 PPG, 0.3 points per game above Devin Neal's 5.7. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Devin Neal or Isiah Pacheco in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Isiah Pacheco has the edge at 6.0 PPG compared to Devin Neal's 5.7 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Devin Neal and Isiah Pacheco average in 2025?▾

Devin Neal averaged 5.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Isiah Pacheco averaged 6.0 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are Devin Neal and Isiah Pacheco's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Devin Neal (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and Isiah Pacheco (KC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Devin Neal or Isiah Pacheco a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Isiah Pacheco outscored Devin Neal by 0.3 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.