Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Isiah Pacheco vs Samaje PerineWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Samaje Perine is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.5 PPG to Isiah Pacheco's 6.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Samaje Perine is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Samaje Perine and Isiah Pacheco are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.5-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#54

Isiah Pacheco

PPG

6.0

Games

Rush Yds

462

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

101

Bye

Week 5

RBKansas City Chiefs#99PPG LEADER

Samaje Perine

PPG

6.5

Games

Rush Yds

285

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

182

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Isiah Pacheco

Samaje Perine

Head to Head

6.0 PPG6.5 PPG

13 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Isiah Pacheco: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #54 at the position). Samaje Perine: 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 Samaje Perine at 30%. That ranking gap means Isiah Pacheco carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Isiah Pacheco vs Samaje Perine: The Full Breakdown

Isiah Pacheco (6.0 PPG) and Samaje Perine (6.5 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; Samaje Perine suited up 15 times for the Kansas City Chiefs.

A 0.5-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; Samaje Perine posted 285 and 2. 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 Samaje Perine is off Week 6. 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. Samaje Perine (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Samaje Perine outscored Isiah Pacheco by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Samaje Perine played 15 games in 2025 compared to Isiah Pacheco's 13. That durability gap means Samaje Perine contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Samaje Perine scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Isiah Pacheco vs Samaje Perine: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Isiah Pacheco	Samaje Perine
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.0	6.5
Games Played	13	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	78	98
Rushing Yards	462	285
Rush Yds/Game	35.5	19.0
Rushing TDs	1	2
Receptions	19	24
Receiving Yards	101	182
Targets	26	0
Total TDs	2	3
Age	27	-
Experience	3 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 6

Summary

6.5 PPG for Samaje Perine versus 6.0 for Isiah Pacheco in 2025. The baseline favors Samaje Perine, 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 Samaje Perine in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Samaje Perine has the edge at 6.5 PPG compared to Isiah Pacheco's 6.0 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 Samaje Perine average in 2025?▾

Isiah Pacheco averaged 6.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Samaje Perine averaged 6.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

When are Isiah Pacheco and Samaje Perine's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Isiah Pacheco (KC) has a bye in Week 5, and Samaje Perine (KC) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Isiah Pacheco or Samaje Perine a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Samaje Perine outscored Isiah Pacheco by 0.5 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.