"Isiah are you still there?"
The Kansas City running back remembers hearing coach Andy Reid’s voice from, of all places, the speaker phone inside his pocket.
Pacheco had run in the house after Chiefs general manager Brett Veach with news that the NFL dream had come true with the 251st pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Pacheco’s family was screaming so loud he could not hear Reid on the other line. This was a variation of the pocket dial.
It worked out. Pacheco – who partnered with USAA to conduct a chalk talk with military service members in Kansas City on Thursday – emerged as the ultimate seventh-round sleeper in 2022. He has advice for the late-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
"Everyone has a story, and it's how you handle it," Pacheco told Sporting News. "You've gotta live through the moment, and once you get the opportunity take advantage of it."
Pacheco took advantage of his opportunity for a memorable rookie season. The former Rutgers running back ranked fifth among rookies with 830 rushing guards and five TDs.
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He played a pivotal role in Kansas City's march to Super Bowl 57. Pacheco had 15 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown in the Chiefs’ 38-35 victory against Philadelphia.
"Kansas City was the perfect fit for me," Pacheco said. "Not only I felt needed; I felt wanted. That’s how I would say it. The most important thing for me is that you give your all and put on everything on the line for this job."
Pacheco wasn’t the only seventh-round success story last season. Skylar Thompson – pick No. 247 – started at quarterback for Miami in the AFC wild card matchup against Buffalo. San Francisco’s Brock Purdy was "Mr. Irrelevant" at pick No. 262 – and won his first seven starts after Jimmy Garappolo got hurt and led San Francisco to the NFC championship game.
Whether you're drafted number one overall or Mr. Irrelevant... Every. Pick. Counts. pic.twitter.com/F9sxoJejZs
— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2023
Pacheco is preparing for his second season, where he is sure to be a well-known commodity given the rookie success. It is a different expectation now.
"The biggest thing for me is to get my health in the best way, shape and form to get prepared for this upcoming season," Pacheco said. "I’ve been in the training room doing the little things to get my body where it's supposed to be."
Pacheco learned some valuable lessons from that rookie season, but it started with the NFL Draft itself. He shared another piece of advice for rookies – and what to expect when the phone rings.
"I was nervous because waiting for your name to be called, you talk to your agents and they tell you which round they're thinking you're going to get called when you might get picked up by a team," he said. "When you're expecting that and it doesn't happen, it is a lot of pressure on you, your parents and your family who are waiting for that call. You're going to get those calls, and they are not the one you want. The third call was the Kansas City Chiefs, and that's the one we were all waiting for."
Pacheco and teammate Derrick Johnson teamed with USAA ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City. The Chiefs teammates conducted a Salute to Service meet and greet and chalk talk with military members from Whiteman Air Force Base and Fort Leavenworth.
USAA is a partner with the NFL’s "Salute to Service" program, an all-season campaign that honors military members, veterans and their families. Pacheco said. "These guys are there for us, and that's their team for the country," Pacheco said. "Being on a team, it’s about understanding the relationship and the bonds that have to be built to have your teammates back to get the job done."
