Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ezekiel Elliott vs Kyle MonangaiWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kyle Monangai is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.1 PPG to Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kyle Monangai is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Kyle Monangai and Ezekiel Elliott 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Ezekiel Elliott and Kyle Monangai in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

RBDallas Cowboys#99

Ezekiel Elliott

PPG

7.2

Games

Rush Yds

452

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

128

Bye

Week 7

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

Ezekiel Elliott

Kyle Monangai

Head to Head

7.2 PPG8.1 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Ezekiel Elliott: 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, Ezekiel Elliott is producing at 33% 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.

Ezekiel Elliott vs Kyle Monangai: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Ezekiel Elliott finished the 2025 season at 7.2 PPG over 14 games with the Dallas Cowboys, 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.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Ezekiel Elliott ran for 452 yards and 3 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.

One scheduling note: Ezekiel Elliott is off Week 7 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: Ezekiel Elliott (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 Ezekiel Elliott by a projected 15 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kyle Monangai played 17 games in 2025 compared to Ezekiel Elliott's 14. 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

Ezekiel Elliott vs Kyle Monangai: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ezekiel Elliott	Kyle Monangai
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.2	8.1
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	101	138
Rushing Yards	452	783
Rush Yds/Game	32.3	46.1
Rushing TDs	3	5
Receptions	18	18
Receiving Yards	128	164
Targets	0	30
Total TDs	3	5
Age	-	23
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kyle Monangai at 8.1 PPG, 0.9 points per game above Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2. 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Ezekiel Elliott vs Kyle Monangai

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Ezekiel Elliott vs Kyle Monangai

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Ezekiel Elliott or Kyle Monangai in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kyle Monangai has the edge at 8.1 PPG compared to Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2 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 Ezekiel Elliott and Kyle Monangai average in 2025?▾

Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 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 Ezekiel Elliott and Kyle Monangai's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) has a bye in Week 7, and Kyle Monangai (CHI) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ezekiel Elliott or Kyle Monangai a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Kyle Monangai outscored Ezekiel Elliott 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.