Third-Year Players: Isiah Pacheco, Rachaad White, Kyren Williams (Fantasy Football)

Let’s dive into a few notable fantasy football third-year players below. Here are third-year players along with their fantasy football draft outlook from our team of experts. Below we dive into a few notable third-year players and their fantasy football draft outlook.

Fantasy Football Third-Year Players: Draft Advice

Kyren Williams (LAR)

Williams was a revelation in 2023 as he quickly kicked Cam Akers to the curb, taking over the starting job in Week 2. Williams was the RB2 in fantasy points per game, ranking fourth in red zone touches, first in snap share, and fourth in opportunity share. Among 68 qualifying backs, he ranked 25th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 27th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Despite his smaller frame, Sean McVay had no issues leaning on Williams as his bellcow. In Weeks 2-17, he averaged 22.3 touches and 117.8 total yards playing at least 72% of the snaps in ten of 11 games played. The only knock on Williams’ usage last season was his pass-game role. Despite entering the NFL as a ballyhooed passing down back, Williams only ranked 18th in target share and 58th in yards per route run (among 60 qualifying backs). Williams will need to reprise his every-down role in 2024 or see a bump in passing game usage to retain his high-end RB1 status, which is possible. Even with the addition of Blake Corum to the roster, this should remain Williams’ backfield.
– Derek Brown

Isiah Pacheco (KC)

Pacheco settled in a strong RB2 last season (RB14), but he could have even more upside in 2024 if the team doesn’t retain Jerick McKinnon. In the four games he played without McKinnon active, Pachecho averaged 20.2 touches and 100.7 total yards. He was Kansas City’s workhorse, as he played at least 70% of the snaps in three of those four games. The second-year back rewarded their faith in him as he was 12th in explosive run rate and 26th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Among 48 qualifying backs, he also ranked 28th in yards per route run. Pacheco had plenty of high-leverage usage last season, ranking seventh in red zone touches and third on Kansas City in red zone targets. He’s a solid RB2 who could easily run hot with touchdowns and climb into the RB1 category in 2024.
– Derek Brown

Rachaad White (TB)

Rachaad White was Leonard Fournette 2.0 for Tampa Bay last season. An inefficient rusher whose pass game role and every down snap share vaults them to RB1 land. Last year, White was the RB10 in fantasy, ranking fourth in snap share, seventh in opportunity share, and fourth in weighted opportunities. He also ranked top-ten in carries (second), targets (ninth), and red zone touches (ninth). White didn’t do nearly as much with that volume as we’d hoped. Among 49 qualifying backs, White ranked 42nd in missed tackles forced per attempt, 40th in explosive run rate, and 45th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). While he was eighth in overall target volume among running backs, he was only 43rd in targets per route run and 18th in yards per route run. White could easily roll back into 2024 as the Bucs do it all back, but don’t be surprised if Bucky Irving helps him shoulder the load.
– Derek Brown