3 standouts from early Chiefs training camp that fans can’t ignore

May 26, 2022; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) conducts drills during organized team activities at the University of Kansas Health System training complex. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs will be looking to a new lineup for the 2022 season; Here are three players who stand out in training camp that fans can’t ignore.

From offloading star power in the midst of an AFC West reboot to executing a flawless draft plan and leveraging free agency’s late availability Kansas City chiefs Off-season was one for the books. The four-time AFC Championship hosts in a row will field first-team units on both sides of the ball with more new faces than any other team in the division.

Midway through the second week of training camp there are a number of these new faces making their mark.

But three chiefs in particular just can’t be ignored because they’re doing so well in the early practices.

Kansas City Chiefs stand out in training camp and cause a stir

3. Rookie RB Isiah Pacheco

When the Chiefs drafted Clyde Edwards-Helaire with the 32nd overall pick in the 2020 draft, it was considered a luxury pick. Entering the season after its first Super Bowl win in 50 years, the team’s mantra was “Run it back,” and the roster was retained to justify the rallying cry.

CEH was an electrifying part of the 2020 LSU national champion team but has yet to bring that energy to the Chiefs offense. With the ongoing injury woes he faced in the first two seasons of his career, the 2022 draft served as an opportunity to uncover greater production in the backfield and come to life after Clyde.

In his preliminary press conferenceGeneral manager Brett Veach said on record, “I’ve never seen such a large group of fifth, sixth, seventh round running backs … I told the guys there’s going to be a 1,000-yard rusher that’s a pick.” in the seventh round.”

Unsurprisingly, the Chiefs spent one of their four seventh-round picks on a running back: Isiah Pacheco. The four-year-old Rutgers captain is a 5-foot-11, 215-pounder who recorded a stunning 4.37-second dash for 40 yards at the combine. A steady contributor to the Scarlet Knights as a four-year-old starter, he brought with him versatile skills already to be applied in a variety of ways.

Special teams coordinator Dave Toub has already announced Pacheco as the Launch kick returnerand his involvement with the first team in offensive drills has been mentioned by Chiefs beatwriters on several occasions.

With a crowded running back roomincluding Edwards-Helaire, Ronald Jones and Jerick McKinnonPacheco faces a tough challenge to emerge as a legitimate contributor from the backfield, but regardless of his involvement with offensive Chiefs fans, a new No. 10 will play a significant role in 2022.