Like many others this fantasy season, I’ve been struggling at RB. As a result, I bought Bears RB Kyle Monangai off waivers and traded for TreVeyon Henderson low. Suddenly, I find myself with too many options at the position and have to make a choice.
If you’re in a similar boat or want to set expectations for one of these backs who are looking at a bigger workload, then you’re in the right place.
Bears Kyle Monangai Fantasy Outlook with D’Andre Swift Out
Chicago Bears starting RB D’Andre Swift has taken well to the Ben Johnson run-heavy system. He first appeared on the injury report with a groin issue a couple of weeks ago and promptly had his highest workload of the season with 20 touches and 124 rushing yards. He played again last week against Baltimore but went in the wrong direction and must’ve made the problem worse.
Not only is Swift injured, but third-string RB Roschon Johnson is also out for this game. That leaves Kyle Monangai as the sole RB available from the initial active depth chart (the team elevated Brittain Brown from the practice squad). Considering Ben Johnson’s preference for a bellcow this season, the rookie should be in line for plenty of work Sunday.
Monangai was already firmly the backup to Swift, getting 33% of snaps to Swift’s 60%. He had seen a spike in touches two weeks ago against New Orleans, so we’ve seen him take advantage of opportunity before. Now he gets an ideal matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense.
Monangai was just a seventh-round pick, so expectations shouldn’t be too high. However, he’s an exciting upside play with an ideal matchup in a good schematic fit. I’m starting him with confidence this week, and if he doesn’t play up to par, you’ll likely be able to move on.
Patriots’ TreVeyon Henderson Fantasy Outlook with Rhamondre Stevenson Out
It’ll be really bad timing for plenty of managers who held onto TreVeyon Henderson, likely starting him through bad weeks and finally moving on after his dud in Week 7. Those who exercised extreme patience will be rewarded with a good spot start in Week 9, as Henderson should see a bulk of the carries without Rhamondre Stevenson.
I wish we could have a little more confidence in this play, but the Patriots have been reluctant to give Henderson much run to this point. Stevenson has been the clear starter, while others, including Henderson, have been given minimal roles. That should mean Henderson will be in line for 15+ touches or so against the Atlanta Falcons, but I won’t be shocked to see Terrell Jennings play plenty as well.
Last week, we saw a spark from Henderson, who ran for 75 yards on 10 carries and had an explosive play. Otherwise, he had been disappointing even when he was getting the ball.
The Patriots have been strong offensively, so I’m more than willing to give Henderson a shot as a starter in most lineups unless you already have strong starters at RB and FLEX. Any increase in receiving work should give him a viable floor, and it’s possible we could get the big play from him that he flashed often as a prospect.
He isn’t a strong play this week, but you can be comfortable starting him if you need to.
Chiefs’ Kareem Hunt Fantasy Outlook with Isiah Pacheco Out
This one feels a little different because Kareem Hunt was already quite involved in the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense. Isiah Pacheco always felt like he had a higher ceiling than he truly had, but he’s never broken through the mold and has been unreliable to play extended snaps. Even withholding him from a bulk of the action couldn’t keep him healthy, and now ol’ reliable Kareem Hunt should see the bulk of the work.
This is also a Brashard Smith post, though. The seventh-round rookie, like Monangai and Pacheco, becomes an emergency option if you need an RB or FLEX play in a pinch.
Smith has been used sparingly but had extended work against the Raiders in a blowout. I’d expect him to see a reasonable bump in production, but against the Buffalo Bills in an important matchup, his touches will likely be more designed while they give a majority of the down-to-down work to the veteran.
The Bills are susceptible to the run, but Hunt doesn’t have the juice to consistently chunk them. The guaranteed work makes him a very safe floor play, and there’s a good chance he can fall into the end zone if this becomes a shootout. He doesn’t offer the ceiling of Henderson or Monangai, but he makes for a safe, ideal RB2 start for as long as Pacheco is out.
