Fantasy Football Week 10 Running Back Who Should I Start? Kyle Monangai, Alvin Kamara, and More

Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai burst onto the fantasy scene last week, carrying the ball 26 times for 176 yards and adding three receptions for 22 yards. Starting back D'Andre Swift was out with an injury, and Monangai took advantage of a fantastic matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Swift is expected to play on Sunday, but Monangai is still on fantasy radars because of the huge game and another great matchup in Week 10. The rookie is showing up all over our FantasySP start/sit tool heading into Sunday's games.

Let's look at Monangai and four players who he has been matched up with often on the start/sit tool. We will do a head-to-head quick hit exercise to determine the best starter in each situation. Most stats are from NFL.com.

Use FantasySP's Who Should I Start? tool to compare players and help make your toughest lineup decisions each week!

Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears vs. New York Giants

Monangai was seen as an intriguing fantasy bench player and handcuff prior to his Week 9 explosion. He had carried the ball 42 times for 186 yards, fine production at 4.4 yards per attempt but hardly a player expected to explode.

As mentioned above, the matchup was about as good as could be last week. Part of Monangai's continued expectations come from the Giants being just as bad: they have allowed the most yards per rush attempt and the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs (the Bengals are third and first, respectively).

The real issue is that Swift is likely back and leading the way for the Bears; the best Monangai can probably hope for is a split in touches. He still has flex value this week because of the matchup and the likelihood that he has a role, but don't expect another day with 200 total yards.

Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans

Etienne has had his ups and downs this season, but it's hard to argue with the production, as he is on pace for over 1,500 total yards, and he is averaging 5.0 yards per rush attempt, more than a full yard better than the past two seasons. He has only scored three touchdowns, which holds back his fantasy value a bit, but Etienne has been productive moving the ball.

Houston has allowed the 10th-fewest yards per rush attempt and the 12th-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. The Texans have a fantastic defense, but they are better against the pass than the run, merely above-average against the latter. They also don't allow much receiving from backs, just 26.4 yards per game with one touchdown.

Advice: Start Kyle Monangai over Travis Etienne. This is a tricky one because Etienne is the lead back on his team, but the matchup is just too far in Monangai's favor, giving him a little better outlook.

Breece Hall, New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns

This is the same situation as with Etienne: Hall is the clear lead back for his team, and his usage sets him up better than Monangai, but Cleveland presents a brutal matchup for running backs, giving up the second-fewest yards per rush attempt and the second-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs.

Like Etienne, Hall has shown a little inconsistency but strong overall numbers, averaging 5.0 yards per carry and on pace for over 1,600 total yards, though his two touchdowns are a little disappointing. Hall is essentially just a better version of Etienne this week, and that leaves a low floor given the tough matchup.

Advice: This is really tough. I'm going to say start Kyle Monangai over Breece Hall because of the matchup, but there's also risk there, so I can understand anyone who goes with the seemingly safer option in Hall.

Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers

Kamara is questionable for this game with an ankle injury, and though he's expected to play, there's always some risk that comes along with players carrying an injury designation. It has also been a tough season, as Kamara's 3.6 yards per carry would be a career low, and he is on pace for similarly dismal numbers (relative to his past work) in rushing yards and receiving yards.

A big part of it is the putrid team around him; running backs don't often thrive in bad ecosystems. Kamara is also 30 years old, and RBs fall off fast when age hits. It's likely a combination of everything.

The Panthers have allowed the ninth-most yards per rush attempt and sit right in the middle in fantasy points given up to running backs. Carolina has been surprisingly formidable, particularly on defense, and though they aren't great against the run, they aren't a pushover like last year.

Advice: Start Kyle Monangai over Alvin Kamara. Kamara has just been tough to trust all season, and with a moderate matchup here, I prefer the sparkling outlook of the rookie.

David Montgomery, Detroit Lions @ Washington Commanders

Washington might be one of the worst teams over the final half of the season depending on how much time Jayden Daniels misses. Injuries have torn them apart, and guys on defense who made big impacts last season are now either negatives or just not really showing up at all. They have given up the 11th-most yards per rush attempt and sit right in the middle in fantasy points allowed to backs.

Montgomery is still splitting carries with Jahmyr Gibbs despite many predicting that the younger player would usurp most of the work. There's still enough for Montgomery to have flex value in fantasy, especially because he keeps finding the end zone (five touchdowns this year).

Advice: Start David Montgomery over Kyle Monangai. There's always risk that Montgomery could have a slow day and be overshadowed by Gibbs, but the veteran back usually stays involved, and there's a chance that Detroit could blow out the Commanders and run the ball often. I see that playing out, which makes me lean just slightly toward Montgomery.