Dylan Sampson vs Isiah Pacheco: Who Should You Start?
Dylan Sampson (4.7 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. Dylan Sampson played 15 games for the Cleveland Browns; Isiah Pacheco suited up 13 times for the Detroit Lions.
A 1.3-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. Dylan Sampson ran for 175 yards and undefined 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: Dylan Sampson sits Week 10 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.
