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Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs Kyle MonangaiWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kyle Monangai is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.1 PPG to Jacory Croskey-Merritt's 8.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kyle Monangai is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Kyle Monangai and Jacory Croskey-Merritt are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.1-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#40
Jacory Croskey-Merritt
PPG
8.0
Games
17
Rush Yds
805
Rush TDs
8
Rec
9
Rec Yds
68
Bye
Week 7
RBChicago Bears#38PPG LEADER
Kyle Monangai
PPG
8.1
Games
17
Rush Yds
783
Rush TDs
5
Rec
18
Rec Yds
164
Bye
Week 10

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Kyle Monangai

Head to Head

8.0 PPG8.1 PPG
17 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #40 at the position). Kyle Monangai: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #38 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jacory Croskey-Merritt is producing at 36% of elite pace and Kyle Monangai at 37%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs Kyle Monangai: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Kyle Monangai is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.1 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Jacory Croskey-Merritt averaged 8.0 PPG with the Washington Commanders across 17 games, and Kyle Monangai posted 8.1 with the Chicago Bears in 17.

When two running backs are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Jacory Croskey-Merritt ran for 805 yards and 8 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.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt has his bye in Week 7, 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: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Kyle Monangai (age 23) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

  • Kyle Monangai outscored Jacory Croskey-Merritt by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jacory Croskey-Merritt scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs Kyle Monangai: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJacory Croskey-MerrittKyle Monangai
PPG (Half-PPR)8.08.1
Games Played1717
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)136138
Rushing Yards805783
Rush Yds/Game47.446.1
Rushing TDs85
Receptions918
Receiving Yards68164
Targets1330
Total TDs85
Age2523
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kyle Monangai at 8.1 PPG, 0.1 points per game above Jacory Croskey-Merritt's 8.0. 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 Jacory Croskey-Merritt or Kyle Monangai in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Kyle Monangai has the edge at 8.1 PPG compared to Jacory Croskey-Merritt's 8.0 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 Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Kyle Monangai average in 2025?

Jacory Croskey-Merritt averaged 8.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Kyle Monangai averaged 8.1 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

When are Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Kyle Monangai's bye weeks in 2026?

Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS) 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 Jacory Croskey-Merritt or Kyle Monangai a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Kyle Monangai outscored Jacory Croskey-Merritt by 0.1 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.