Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

James Conner vs Kyle MonangaiWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Kyle Monangai's 8.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

James Conner has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.9-PPG advantage is real (11.0 to 8.1), and James Conner's 6 touchdowns show scoring upside. Kyle Monangai is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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RBArizona Cardinals#99PPG LEADER

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

RBChicago Bears#38

Kyle Monangai

PPG

8.1

Games

Rush Yds

783

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

164

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

James Conner

Kyle Monangai

Head to Head

11.0 PPG8.1 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: 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, James Conner is producing at 50% 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.

James Conner vs Kyle Monangai: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. James Conner (Arizona Cardinals) finished the 2025 season averaging 11.0 fantasy points per game in 14 games. Kyle Monangai (Chicago Bears) came in at 8.1 PPG over 17 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

James Conner carries a 2.9-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. James Conner ran for 752 yards and 5 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: James Conner sits Week 11 while Kyle Monangai is off Week 10. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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: James Conner (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?

•James Conner outscored Kyle Monangai by a projected 49 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kyle Monangai played 17 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. That durability gap means Kyle Monangai contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•James Conner scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

James Conner vs Kyle Monangai: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Conner	Kyle Monangai
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	8.1
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	154	138
Rushing Yards	752	783
Rush Yds/Game	53.7	46.1
Rushing TDs	5	5
Receptions	28	18
Receiving Yards	218	164
Targets	0	30
Total TDs	6	5
Age	-	23
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, James Conner holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.0 points per game. Kyle Monangai averaged 8.1 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start James Conner or Kyle Monangai in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 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 James Conner and Kyle Monangai average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 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 2.9 points per game.

When are James Conner and Kyle Monangai's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11, and Kyle Monangai (CHI) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is James Conner or Kyle Monangai a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Kyle Monangai by 2.9 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.