Few NFL running backs have sprung their way into a major role quite like Kansas City Chiefs’ second-year dynamo Isiah Pacheco.
The seventh-round pick out of Rutgers excelled in all facets for the Super Bowl champions as a rookie in 2022, gaining 830 yards on the ground and 960 yards of offense in total, while finding the end zone five times.
Pacheco did all this on a rookie contract that paid him $724,777 against the Chiefs’ salary cap, making him one of the most valuable running backs in the league during the 2022 campaign.
Unfortunately, Chiefs fans in the state had to drive to Kansas to place wagers on the team, as there is no legal Missouri sports betting. Attempts to pass legislation again failed during the 2023 session.
To take a look at the most undervalued running backs, BetMissouri.com utilized ProFootballReference.com to find the cap hit and all-purpose yards of every NFL running back during 2022-23 NFL regular season.
After doing the math of the dollars per point share for each player in the league, we were able to determine the 10 most value driven RBs from this season. Salary and yards were included for all teams the player was on during the 2022-23 season.
Most Undervalued NFL RBs of 2022-23
When betting does become legal in the state, BetMissouri.com will be the place to go for Missouri sportsbook promos.
Pacheco Among NFL’s Most Valuable Backs
Whether Pacheco can match the level of play he found in Year 1 with Andy Reid and company remains to be seen.
For now, what’s for sure is the former Rutgers running back was one of the NFL’s most undervalued at his position, with the second lowest dollar per all-purpose yard of any running back in the league.
Overall, Pacheco finished behind New England running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who had 1,461 all-purpose yards in 2022 on a contract with a $1,012,264 cap hit, meaning his dollar per all-purpose yard was $693.
Pacheco, meanwhile, had 960 all-purpose yards on his rookie deal worth $724,777 — leaving him with a dollar per all-purpose yard of $755 — ranking second in the league.
And Chiefs fans can take solace in knowing Pacheco is under contract with the club for the foreseeable future.
Although there are no Missouri sports betting apps, national operators see the Chiefs as the favorite to repeat as Super Bowl champion at +650.
Those wanting to drive to a neighboring state can get Pacheco’s season rushing total over 774.5 yards at -115 odds.
Given his production as a rookie, that might not be a bad bet.
MORE: Latest Chiefs Super Bowl odds
