Who Should I Start? Jarquez Hunter or Kyle Monangai

Wednesday, October 22, 1:04 AM

Los Angeles Rams rookie running back Jarquez Hunter was a healthy scratch for Week 7's game in London against the Jaguars. Hunter had been active for the Rams' previous five games, exclusively on special teams, but didn't suit up in London as Ronnie Rivers was brought up off the practice squad and was active as a depth piece behind starter Kyren Williams and second-year back Blake Corum. The fourth-round pick out of Auburn led the SEC last season with 6.4 yards per carry, and it remains to be seen whether he will earn any opportunities in the Rams' offense moving forward.

Friday, February 6, 10:20 AM

A seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai entered his rookie season without much fanfare. However, the 23-year-old impressed in his first campaign, recording 947 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns on 187 touches across 17 games. Monangai showcased impressive efficiency as a rusher, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. As the season progressed, Monangai was able to steal more and more work away from established Bears RB1 D'Andre Swift. Including the postseason, Monangai recorded at least 11 touches in eight out of his final 10 games. From Week 11 through the end of the regular season, neither Monangai nor Swift played more than 59% or fewer than 41% of Chicago's offensive snaps in any contest. In 2026, Swift will be playing on the final season of his current contract. While the two backs project to share backfield work in the short term, Monangai may have done enough as a rookie for the team to feel confident in him as its long-term answer at running back. Monangai's fantasy value in dynasty formats should be on the rise after his encouraging 2025 season.