Welcome to Week 13 of the 2025 Footballguys Roundtable. Our intrepid panel of fantasy pundits discusses and debates four topics every week. We split the conversation into separate features.
This week's roundtable features these four topics:
- Best Thanksgiving Fantasy Matchups
- Stretch-Run Stars
- RBs Who Might Start in 2026
- 2026 WR Rebound Candidates
Let's roll...
Matt Waldman: Let's play a little True-False with running backs who might get a shot to start in 2026.
- Woody Marks will be the Texans' starter in 2026.
- Kyle Monangai will be the Bears' starter in 2026.
- Sean Tucker will be an NFL starter in 2026.
- Kaleb Johnson will be an NFL starter in 2026.
Pick the statement you find most compelling to support.
Gary Davenport: Monangai has been solid as a rookie, averaging 4.7 yards per carry and finding the end zone four times on the ground. The former Rutgers standout showed he can carry the ground game with a huge game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
With D'Andre Swift a potential cap casualty next offseason, Monangai could offer the Bears a capable and inexpensive option to start in the backfield. It's possible Monangai is the lead, and the Bears shop for a change-of-pace back.
Dave Kluge: Monangai does some things really well, and his usage at Rutgers shows he can shoulder a large workload. However, Ben Johnson doesn't tend to saddle a running back with a heavy role. He has consistently deployed split backfields throughout his coaching career. Whether D'Andre Swift returns or not, the backfield will likely remain split. Expect the Bears to make a hefty investment in a new back and part ways with Swift.
Jeff Haseley: I don't like any of these options to be a starter in 2026, but the closest one is Kyle Monangai. I don't see D'Andre Swift as a long-term answer at running back for the Bears, and Monangai has shown that he can be a factor when called upon. If he finishes the season strong, he could be in line for a greater role in 2026.