Who Should I Start? Kyle Monangai or Phil Mafah

Monday, November 24, 10:51 AM

Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai recorded 12 carries for 48 yards and a touchdown in his team's 31-28 Week 12 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. After veteran Bears back D'Andre Swift coughed up a fumble early in the game against Pittsburgh, Monangai worked as the team's feature back for much of the remainder of the contest. There's no question that the 23-year-old is emerging as a key piece in the Bears' offense. Monangai has now scored a rushing touchdown in three straight weeks. For the season overall, he's recorded 461 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 99 carries. While Swift should be expected to remain the passing-downs back in Chicago, Monangai may be establishing himself as the team's preferred early-down and goal-line option. In any fantasy league with 12 or more teams where he remains available, Monangai should be a priority waiver-wire target heading into a Week 13 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Sunday, August 31, 4:05 PM

Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Phil Mafah (shoulder) has been placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least the first four games of the regular season with a shoulder injury suffered in the preseason finale. The seventh-round pick out of Clemson showed flashes in the preseason with 15 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown, good for a solid 3.9 yards per carry. Standing six-foot and weighing 234 pounds, Mafah's big-bodied, between-the-tackles style was impressive in his final college season, rushing for 1,115 yards and eight touchdowns. His placement on IR is a setback, but with the Cowboys' current running back situation, a potential revolving door of Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, and Jaydon Blue, Mafah remains a potential contributor later in the season. He is worth a roster spot in deeper dynasty leagues. Still, his fantasy value will stay uncertain until he returns to full health and the backfield situation becomes clearer throughout the season.