Who Should I Start? Alvin Kamara or D'Andre Swift

Sunday, February 1, 6:46 AM

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is trending downward ahead of the 2026 NFL season. While Kamara is under contract for one more year with the Saints, he's losing his grasp on the New Orleans backfield due to his age, injury issues, and the emergence of younger teammates. Kamara was the overall RB46 in full-PPR leagues during the 2025 season, which was the first time he ever finished lower than RB16. While part of his slip can be attributed to Kamara missing six games, he also showcased reduced volume and effectiveness. He averaged fewer than 15 touches per game, he finished with a career-low 3.6 yards per carry, and he only scored one touchdown all year. He is now 30 years old and suffered a knee sprain in Week 12, so age and injuries may be catching up to him. He also faces more competition than ever, as Devin Neal (hamstring) and Kendre Miller (knee) both flashed the ability to occupy lead-back roles before landing on season-ending injured reserve. Trade rumors have circled around Kamara for several years, but he has indicated that he wants to remain a Saint for life. Now, it's a question of whether New Orleans wants to keep him on the books for 2026. This team is looking to get younger, and cutting Kamara post-June 1 would create $8.5 million in cap space.

Saturday, January 31, 5:46 AM

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift posted another solid season in 2025, recording 1,386 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns on 257 touches across 16 games. Swift has quietly been one of the NFL's most consistent backs in recent years, recording at least 1,250 scrimmage yards and missing just two contests over his past three campaigns. However, Swift may find himself competing for the RB1 role in Chicago in 2026 with fellow Bears running back Kyle Monangai. A seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Monangai racked up 947 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns across 17 games played as a rookie. Down the stretch of the 2025 season, Swift and Monangai split backfield work relatively evenly, with neither back playing fewer than 40% or greater than 60% of the team's offensive snaps in any game between Week 12 and Week 18. Swift is entering his age-27 season and will be a free agent after the 2026 campaign, so Chicago could be looking at Monangai as its running back of the future. Bears head coach Ben Johnson has proven an ability to support fantasy production for two backs throughout his time as an NFL play-caller. Still, fantasy managers may want to prepare for a decrease in Swift's workload in 2026 and beyond.