The NFL preseason is full of rumors, rankings and social media exultations and Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is no different, naming his top five RB’s and sparking fierce debate.
Pacheco, a former Rutgers University star has surprisingly named himself at fifth position. At least he is confident, ‘humble’ young man.
The 251st pick in the 2022 draft has earned 830 rushing yards, a rushing average of 5.9, 13 receptions and 597 returning yards. Hardly eye-catching numbers from the rookie, who started his first NFL game against the Cardinals a year ago.
As the song goes, “It’s my party and I can cry if I want too.”
Let’s breakdown his list and look at some more serious numbers.
At four he has Giants RB Saquon Barkley, a second overall pick in 2018. The New York team has seen handsome returns for the former Penn State player, including two Pro-Bowl appearances (2018, 2022). Barkley was a Consensus All-American in 2017 and a two-time First-team All-Big-Ten. He holds the NFL record for most receptions by a rookie (91).
At number three Pacheco names LaDanian Thomlinson of the Chargers, his first former player on the list. Thomlinson spent 10 successful years in the NFL, playing for the Chargers for the bulk of his career before a turn at the Jets.
He is now a special assistant coach for the Chargers since 2017.
The RB was named the NFL MVP of 2006, as well as being named that season’s NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He is a three-time First-team All-Pro and a 5-times -Pro-bowler.
He holds the NFL record for the most rushing TD’s in a season (2006) with a staggering 28 scored. He also has the record for the most TD’s from scrimmage in one season (31), mostly points scored in a single season 186 (2006) and tied most consecutive games with a touchdown (18).
Coming in on the second spot is Adrian Peterson who played the bulk of his career at the Vikings.
After nine years at Minnesota, he moved to the Saints, Cardinals, Redskins, Lions, Titans and Seahawks.
He is now a free agent after having finished up at the Seattle team in 2021.
He is widely regarded as one of the GOAT RB’s in NFL history, winning the NFL MVP in 2012 and the NFL Offensive Player in the same campaign.
He is a three-time former NFL rushing yards leader (2008, 2012, and 2015) and a two-time rushing TD leader 2009, 2015). He has a long list of accolades and achievements and is rightly considered an all-time legend.
And now for the top spot … drumroll please … Number one goes to Barry Sanders of the Lions fame.
He played for 10 seasons in Detroit and would go on to more awards and achievements than could fit into an article. He was the 1997 NFL MVP, a 2-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, 6-time First-team All-Pro and played in the Pro-bowl in each of his ten seasons. Sanders is almost as Famous as the Colonel (Sanders) and his play was always finger-licking-good.
