Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dameon Pierce vs Kyle MonangaiWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kyle Monangai is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.1 PPG to Dameon Pierce's 6.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kyle Monangai is the better fantasy play this season.

Kyle Monangai is the better play on a neutral week. 8.1 PPG with 947 yards gives a reliable baseline. Dameon Pierce at 6.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Kyle Monangai higher, but do not fade Dameon Pierce entirely.

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

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RBHouston Texans#99

Dameon Pierce

PPG

6.4

Games

Rush Yds

342

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

108

Bye

Week 14

RBChicago Bears#38PPG LEADER

Kyle Monangai

PPG

8.1

Games

Rush Yds

783

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

164

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Dameon Pierce

Kyle Monangai

Head to Head

6.4 PPG8.1 PPG

13 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Dameon Pierce: 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, Dameon Pierce is producing at 29% 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.

Dameon Pierce vs Kyle Monangai: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Dameon Pierce and Kyle Monangai for your lineup, you are not alone. Dameon Pierce finished the 2025 season at 6.4 PPG for the Houston Texans (13 games), and Kyle Monangai averaged 8.1 for the Chicago Bears (17 games).

That 1.7-point weekly advantage for Kyle Monangai is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Dameon Pierce ran for 342 yards and 2 touchdowns; Kyle Monangai posted 783 and 5. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Dameon Pierce has his bye in Week 14, and Kyle Monangai rests in Week 10. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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: Dameon Pierce (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?

•Kyle Monangai outscored Dameon Pierce by a projected 29 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kyle Monangai played 17 games in 2025 compared to Dameon Pierce's 13. That durability gap means Kyle Monangai contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Kyle Monangai scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dameon Pierce vs Kyle Monangai: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dameon Pierce	Kyle Monangai
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.4	8.1
Games Played	13	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	83	138
Rushing Yards	342	783
Rush Yds/Game	26.3	46.1
Rushing TDs	2	5
Receptions	15	18
Receiving Yards	108	164
Targets	0	30
Total TDs	2	5
Age	-	23
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kyle Monangai at 8.1 PPG, 1.7 points per game above Dameon Pierce's 6.4. 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 Dameon Pierce or Kyle Monangai in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kyle Monangai has the edge at 8.1 PPG compared to Dameon Pierce's 6.4 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 Dameon Pierce and Kyle Monangai average in 2025?▾

Dameon Pierce averaged 6.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Kyle Monangai averaged 8.1 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.7 points per game.

When are Dameon Pierce and Kyle Monangai's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dameon Pierce (HOU) 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 Dameon Pierce or Kyle Monangai a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Kyle Monangai outscored Dameon Pierce by 1.7 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.