Fantasy Football News

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson in Round 5 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Johnson’s college path wasn’t linear. He arrived as an overlooked recruit, redshirted, and then climbed past veteran competition before losing touches in 2024. Even in a split backfield, his receiving stood out, culminating in a 39-catch season that foreshadowed a larger role. When Nebraska committed fully in 2025, Johnson responded with 1,451 rushing yards and a class-high 46 receptions. Among the 20 RBs invited to the NFL Combine, Johnson ranked first in 2025 rushing market share (82.4%), and 15th in yards after contact per attempt (2.95). He ranked fourth in 2025 missed tackles forced per attempt (0.27) and sixth in receiving yards per route run (1.27). He is currently 22 years old.

Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco is inactive for today’s game vs. the Raiders. That leaves the backfield to Kareem Hunt, Brashard Smith, and Dameon Pierce.

Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco is questionable for Sunday's game vs. the Raiders. He was on the injury report with 'rest' all week, so Pacheco is seemingly healthy enough to play if the Chiefs want him to. We'll look for further updates on the situation and get Kansas City's inactives a little before 3 pm ET on Sunday. Pacheco's absence would leave the backfield to Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith.

Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco reclaimed the rushing lead in Sunday's loss to the Chargers. He took his 11 carries for just 21 yards (1.9 per rush), while Kareem Hunt carried six times for 12 yards (2.0). Brashard Smith claimed the other two RB attempts, contributing a mere 1 yard. The usage pushed the backfield split back to what we saw from Kansas City backs before Pacheco's injury absence.

Isiah Pacheco returned to action after missing three games with a sprained MCL, but Kareem Hunt continued to lead the Chiefs in playing time and opportunities in Kansas City's 31-28 loss. Hunt out-snapped Pacheco 42-20 and also held a 14-3 edge in carries.

Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game vs. the Bills. We’ll see if he dodges short-term IR on Saturday. Pacheco’s absence figures to leave Kareem Hunt as Kansas City’s clear lead back, with a potentially expanded role for rookie Brashard Smith. See where those guys sit in the Week 9 RB rankings.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco is "week-to-week" with an MCL sprain that knocked him out late in Monday night's win over the Commanders. The injury occurred on Kansas City's third-to-last offensive play of the game.

Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt suffered an apparent left ankle injury in the first quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Raiders. He needed help from a couple of teammates to make it off the field. We'll update Hunt's status when we know more. His absence leaves Kansas City's backfield to Isiah Pacheco and Brashard Smith.

Update: Hunt returned on Kansas City's next series.

Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco only ran the ball seven times for 35 yards against the Ravens. Pacheco’s fantasy output still looked fine with two catches for 13 yards and a TD, but his declining usage underscores the inability to start him in fantasy. Pacheco was out-snapped by Kareem Hunt 27 to 32 and outrushed by him 7 to 13. With rookie RB Brashard Smith also earning 19 snaps, Pacheco could be a cut candidate in shallow leagues.

RB Isiah Pacheco led a three-man committee backfield in Friday night's loss to the Chargers. Here's how the work was split:

• Pacheco: 51% snap rate, 45% route rate, 5 carries, 3 targets
• Kareem Hunt: 38% snap rate, 36% route rate, 5 carries, 3 targets
• Brashard Smith: 13% snap rate, 13% route rate, 0 carries, 0 targets

There were relatively defined roles for all three backs. Pacheco played the majority of the early downs, Hunt handled most third downs and short-yardage situations, and Smith was used almost exclusively on called pass plays.

The Kansas City Chiefs selected SMU RB Brashard Smith with the 228th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Smith entered college as a WR at Miami. He flashed athletic talent but was never quite able to crack the Hurricanes’ deep rotation. From 2021-2023, the Florida native totaled only 69 catches, 770 yards, and 4 TDs. While in the transfer portal, SMU approached him about moving to RB and utilizing his explosion differently. It worked. Smith ran for 1,332 yards and 14 TDs this past season, adding 39 catches for 327 yards and 4 TDs. Like current Giant Tyrone Tracy, Smith easily transitioned from WR to RB and found his future spot in the NFL. The Combine only helped his draft stock, as he blazed a 4.39 forty time and showed elite short-area burst with a 1.54 ten-yard split. Those were key marks, as Smith checks in at 5’10, 194 pounds.