Isiah Pacheco is fast becoming a key player in the Chiefs' offensive unit — both figuratively and literally.
The 5-10, 216-pound rookie running back out of Rutgers not only has become an instrumental part of the ground game, leading the team in both rushes and yards, but also a reliable pass-catching threat out of the backfield.
Pacheco made history in that aspect, but now it seems unthinkable that the Chiefs wouldn't have him heavily involved in a game plan. At no time was that more evident than in Kansas City's divisional game vs. the Jaguars, when — with Patrick Mahomes out with an injury — Pacheco railed off a 39-yard run that showcased, among other things, his top-end speed:
.@isiah_pachecoRB goes 40 YARDS!
— NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2023
📺: #JAXvsKC on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/3PQhoYeSUP pic.twitter.com/DlmzGPHW8Y
MORE: How Joe Burrow vs. Patrick Mahomes compares to Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning & other rivalries
That run illustrated to many the speed that made many consider him a late-round steal by the Chiefs, who took him 251st overall in the seventh round. He is the first seventh-round offensive player selected by Andy Reid to make his initial 53-man roster.
Here's what you need to know about Pacheco and his blazing speed, dating back to his 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Combine:
Isiah Pacheco 40 time at NFL Combine
Pacheco logged a top time of 4.37 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Combine.
While certainly fast, Pacheco's logged 40 time wasn't the fastest. He finished with the 17th-fastest time of the 2022 combine, and the second-fastest among running backs.
Here's where he ranked among the fastest runners at the combine:
| Player (position) | Time (s) |
| Kalon Barnes (cornerback) | 4.23 |
| Tariq Woolen (cornerback) | 4.26 |
| Tyquan Thorton (receiver) | 4.28 |
| Velus Jones Jr. (receiver) | 4.31 |
| Calvin Austin III (receiver) | 4.32 |
| Zyon McCollum (cornerback) | 4.33 |
| Danny Gray (receiver) | 4.33 |
| Nick Cross (safety) | 4.34 |
| Bo Melton (receiver) | 4.34 |
| Christian Watson (receiver) | 4.36 |
| Percy Butler (safety) | 4.36 |
| JT Woods (safety) | 4.36 |
| Tycen Anderson (safety) | 4.36 |
| Alontae Taylor (cornerback) | 4.36 |
| Amare Barno (edge) | 4.36 |
| Pierre Strong (running back) | 4.37 |
| Isiah Pacheco (running back) | 4.37 |
Isiah Pacheco fastest speeds for 2022 season
Pacheco's 39-yard run in the divisional round was his fastest recorded run all season. That said, his top speed of 20.97 mph — while the fastest time logged in the divisional round, per NFL Next Gen Stats — is not among the top 20 for the 2022 season.
Isiah Pacheco reached a top speed of 20.97 mph on his 41-yard run, the fastest speed of his career as a ball carrier.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) January 21, 2023
Pacheco gained +36 rush yards over expected on the run, and now he leads all rookies with +168 RYOE this season (including playoffs).#JAXvsKC | #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/gvgdRad77V
That would go to Colts receiver Parris Campbell, who was logged at 22.11 mph in Week 18. The lowest speed listed for the season belongs to Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin, who ran 21.25 mph in Week 18.
Pacheco was also among the top-20 fastest players on a 48-yard kickoff return vs. the 49ers in Week 7. His logged speed of 20.9 mph ranked fifth-fastest for the week.
Isiah Pacheco rushing stats
Pacheco came on in the latter half of the 2022 season to become one of the Chiefs' biggest offensive threats. From Weeks 10 through 16, Pacheco rushed no fewer than 13 times a game with a low of 58 yards in Week 16. He also rushed 12 times for 95 yards vs. the Jaguars.
The Chiefs has also utilized his speed on kick returns, where he has logged 29 returns for 597 yards, averaging 20.6 yards per return. Here are his team-leading rushing stats for the 2022 season:
| Attempts | Yards | YPA | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 170 | 830 | 4.9 | 5.0 |
