Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Isiah Pacheco vs Raheim SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Isiah Pacheco is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.0 PPG to Raheim Sanders's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Isiah Pacheco is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Isiah Pacheco and Raheim Sanders are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.3-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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RBKansas City Chiefs#54PPG LEADER

Isiah Pacheco

PPG

6.0

Games

Rush Yds

462

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

101

Bye

Week 5

RBCleveland Browns#99

Raheim Sanders

PPG

4.7

Games

Rush Yds

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Isiah Pacheco

Raheim Sanders

Head to Head

6.0 PPG4.7 PPG

13 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Isiah Pacheco: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #54 at the position). Raheim Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Isiah Pacheco is producing at 27% of elite pace and Raheim Sanders at 21%. That ranking gap means Isiah Pacheco carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Isiah Pacheco vs Raheim Sanders: The Full Breakdown

Isiah Pacheco (6.0 PPG) and Raheim Sanders (4.7 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. Isiah Pacheco played 13 games for the Kansas City Chiefs; Raheim Sanders suited up 4 times for the Cleveland Browns.

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. Isiah Pacheco ran for 462 yards and 1 touchdowns; Raheim Sanders posted 92 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: Isiah Pacheco sits Week 5 while Raheim Sanders is off Week 10. 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: Isiah Pacheco (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Raheim Sanders (age 23) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Isiah Pacheco outscored Raheim Sanders by a projected 22 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Isiah Pacheco played 13 games in 2025 compared to Raheim Sanders's 4. That durability gap means Isiah Pacheco contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Isiah Pacheco scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Raheim Sanders is 4 years younger than Isiah Pacheco (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Isiah Pacheco vs Raheim Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Isiah Pacheco	Raheim Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.0	4.7
Games Played	13	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	78	19
Rushing Yards	462	92
Rush Yds/Game	35.5	23.0
Rushing TDs	1	1
Receptions	19	3
Receiving Yards	101	21
Targets	26	4
Total TDs	2	1
Age	27	23
Experience	3 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 10

Summary

6.0 PPG for Isiah Pacheco versus 4.7 for Raheim Sanders in 2025. The baseline favors Isiah Pacheco, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Isiah Pacheco or Raheim Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Isiah Pacheco has the edge at 6.0 PPG compared to Raheim Sanders's 4.7 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 Isiah Pacheco and Raheim Sanders average in 2025?▾

Isiah Pacheco averaged 6.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Raheim Sanders averaged 4.7 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 1.3 points per game.

When are Isiah Pacheco and Raheim Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Isiah Pacheco (KC) has a bye in Week 5, and Raheim Sanders (CLE) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Isiah Pacheco or Raheim Sanders a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Isiah Pacheco outscored Raheim Sanders by 1.3 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.