Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs Kyle MonangaiWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.0 PPG to Kyle Monangai's 8.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Austin Ekeler and Kyle Monangai are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.9-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBWashington Commanders#99PPG LEADER

Austin Ekeler

PPG

9.0

Games

Rush Yds

425

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

360

Bye

Week 14

RBChicago Bears#38

Kyle Monangai

PPG

8.1

Games

Rush Yds

783

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

164

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Kyle Monangai

Head to Head

9.0 PPG8.1 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Kyle Monangai: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #38 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Austin Ekeler is producing at 41% of elite pace and Kyle Monangai at 37%. That ranking gap means Kyle Monangai carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Ekeler vs Kyle Monangai: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Austin Ekeler finished the 2025 season at 9.0 PPG over 14 games with the Washington Commanders, while Kyle Monangai clocked in at 8.1 across 17 appearances for the Chicago Bears. A 0.9-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Austin Ekeler is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 360 yards, while Kyle Monangai profiles as a more traditional rusher with 783 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Austin Ekeler carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Austin Ekeler is off Week 14 and Kyle Monangai Week 10. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Austin Ekeler (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Kyle Monangai (age 23) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Austin Ekeler outscored Kyle Monangai by a projected 15 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kyle Monangai played 17 games in 2025 compared to Austin Ekeler's 14. That durability gap means Kyle Monangai contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Austin Ekeler scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Austin Ekeler caught 45 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Austin Ekeler vs Kyle Monangai: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Kyle Monangai
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	8.1
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	138
Rushing Yards	425	783
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	46.1
Rushing TDs	3	5
Receptions	45	18
Receiving Yards	360	164
Targets	0	30
Total TDs	5	5
Age	-	23
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Austin Ekeler at 9.0 PPG, 0.9 points per game above Kyle Monangai's 8.1. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Austin Ekeler or Kyle Monangai in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Ekeler has the edge at 9.0 PPG compared to Kyle Monangai's 8.1 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Austin Ekeler and Kyle Monangai average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Kyle Monangai averaged 8.1 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.9 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and Kyle Monangai's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler (WAS) has a bye in Week 14, and Kyle Monangai (CHI) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Ekeler or Kyle Monangai a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler outscored Kyle Monangai by 0.9 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.