Who Should I Start? Dylan Sampson or Kyle Monangai


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
6.1 16.9 0.1 1.9 14.8 0.1

Dylan Sampson News

Dylan Sampson a Top Handcuff Despite Browns' Question Marks?

Sunday, August 16, 6:14 PM

Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson possesses value in redraft leagues despite his role as the backup to Quinshon Judkins. Sampson could have some standalone value as a pass-catching option behind Judkins, but more importantly, he's a top handcuff running back in fantasy football. Sampson had at least 10 carries in each of the three games that Judkins missed last year, and he was even more impactful in the passing game with 4.7 targets per game that Judkins missed. We're not very high on the Browns' offense with Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders under center, but Sampson could still become a volume-based RB2 option if Judkins were to miss time in 2026. He currently has an ADP of 162, which lines up with the 14th round of fantasy drafts and makes him the 52nd running back off the board. That's in line with the experts' opinions on Sampson, who ranks as the RB55 in RotoBaller's latest redraft rankings for 2026.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
9.1 45.5 0.3 1.3 10.7 0.1

Kyle Monangai News

Kyle Monangai to Miss Multiple Weeks With Hyperextended Knee

Monday, August 17, 2:30 PM

Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (knee) suffered a hyperextended knee during training camp practice on Sunday and is expected to miss multiple weeks, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. However, the MRI outcome is considered positive, and the 24-year-old's knee is structurally sound. Monangai will most likely miss the team's final two preseason games as he tries to rehab and get ready to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Carolina Panthers. With Monangai sidelined for the next couple of weeks, Roschon Johnson, Salvon Ahmed, and Brittain Brown will get more opportunities to play behind starter D'Andre Swift in Chicago's backfield. After being selected in the seventh round from Rutgers in 2025, Monangai had 169 rushing attempts for 783 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games in his first NFL season, adding 18 receptions for 164 yards as a pass-catcher. He is still the handcuff option to Swift, but his lack of pass-catching upside makes him a better RB3/flex target in standard-scoring fantasy leagues in 2026.


Dylan Sampson vs. Kyle Monangai

Still trying to decide between Sampson and Monangai? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Dylan Sampson is projected to score 6.1 points this week while Kyle Monangai is projected to score 9.1 points.