Who Should I Start? Kyle Monangai or Phil Mafah

Monday, September 22, 10:52 AM

Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai had a quiet statistical game in his team's Week 3 win over the Dallas Cowboys, finishing with 20 yards from scrimmage on seven total touches. Bears RB1 D'Andre Swift still appears to have a strong hold on the backfield touches in Chicago, as Swift finished with 78 yards from scrimmage on 16 total touches. Neither Bears running back is averaging four yards per carry so far this season, so Monangai could work his way into a larger workload if he can improve his production over the course of the season. In deep fantasy leagues, the 23-year-old could be a worthy stash candidate depending on overall roster construction.

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.