- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 467,419
- Reaction score
- 44
The Chicago Bears finally landed a running back in the seventh round with the selection of Rutgers' Kyle Monangai 233rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Monangai is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with Rutgers, and one of his greatest assets is in pass protection. He joins a Bears running back room led by D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson, so the Rutgers product will have an opportunity to compete for carries and a roster spot.
Here's a quick rundown on Monangai:
Height: 5-foot-8
Weight: 211 pounds
Age: 22
From: Roseland, New Jersey
"Short but stout two-time team captain who is bundled tightly into a compact, muscular frame. Monangai is quicker than fast and lacks breakaway speed but can change the track of the run at a moment’s notice with unpredictable cuts at sharp angles. His vision is average and his lack of run-lane discipline will irk offensive line coaches, but he creates yardage out of nowhere and has exceptional contact balance to repel would-be tacklers. He lacks ideal third-down value, so teams will need to be comfortable with tabbing Monangai as an early-down backup who can handle a heavier carry load if needed." -- Lance Zierlein
A three-year starter at Rutgers, Monangai was the featured weapon in offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca's zone-blocking scheme that was built around the run game. Despite being one of the lowest-ranked recruits in Greg Schiano's 2020 class, Monangai became one of the best running backs in the Big Ten and finished No. 2 in school history with 3,221 rushing yards (behind only Ray Rice).
A first-generation Cameroonian-American, Monangai isn't going to stand out as the fastest or most powerful back in this class, but he runs hard and decisive, following his blocks on traps and reaches to motor through gaps. His ball security (zero career fumbles) and overall dependability as a workhorse will be appreciated by NFL coaches. Overall, Monangai lacks breakaway speed, but he can pick, slide and weave through the defense with shifty quickness and run toughness. His competitive profile and promising reps on passing downs should make him an effective utility back in the NFL.
"Physical, tough runner. High, high, high football and personal character. We believe he can come in and compete. We like his contact balance. And again, just the physical nature of how he plays football, and his pass protection is really good as well." -- Bears GM Ryan Poles
Monangai's production was consistent while at Rutgers, averaging 5.0 and 5.2 yards per carry in 2023 and 2024, respectively. He also has never lost a fumble, which is arguably his best trait coming into the NFL. We'll see where he winds up on the depth chart and if the Bears opt to add another veteran at some point, but Monangai has a chance to show something in a fairly thin running back room. It's not the pick Bears fans were hoping to see at running back when the draft started, but it's something. -- Brendan Sugrue
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears 2025 draft pick profile: RB Kyle Monangai
Continue reading...
Monangai is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with Rutgers, and one of his greatest assets is in pass protection. He joins a Bears running back room led by D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson, so the Rutgers product will have an opportunity to compete for carries and a roster spot.
Here's a quick rundown on Monangai:
The Basics
Height: 5-foot-8
Weight: 211 pounds
Age: 22
From: Roseland, New Jersey
Breakdown
"Short but stout two-time team captain who is bundled tightly into a compact, muscular frame. Monangai is quicker than fast and lacks breakaway speed but can change the track of the run at a moment’s notice with unpredictable cuts at sharp angles. His vision is average and his lack of run-lane discipline will irk offensive line coaches, but he creates yardage out of nowhere and has exceptional contact balance to repel would-be tacklers. He lacks ideal third-down value, so teams will need to be comfortable with tabbing Monangai as an early-down backup who can handle a heavier carry load if needed." -- Lance Zierlein
Dane Brugler's Scouting Report
A three-year starter at Rutgers, Monangai was the featured weapon in offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca's zone-blocking scheme that was built around the run game. Despite being one of the lowest-ranked recruits in Greg Schiano's 2020 class, Monangai became one of the best running backs in the Big Ten and finished No. 2 in school history with 3,221 rushing yards (behind only Ray Rice).
A first-generation Cameroonian-American, Monangai isn't going to stand out as the fastest or most powerful back in this class, but he runs hard and decisive, following his blocks on traps and reaches to motor through gaps. His ball security (zero career fumbles) and overall dependability as a workhorse will be appreciated by NFL coaches. Overall, Monangai lacks breakaway speed, but he can pick, slide and weave through the defense with shifty quickness and run toughness. His competitive profile and promising reps on passing downs should make him an effective utility back in the NFL.
They Said It
"Physical, tough runner. High, high, high football and personal character. We believe he can come in and compete. We like his contact balance. And again, just the physical nature of how he plays football, and his pass protection is really good as well." -- Bears GM Ryan Poles
RAS card
You must be registered for see images attach
Grade: B
Monangai's production was consistent while at Rutgers, averaging 5.0 and 5.2 yards per carry in 2023 and 2024, respectively. He also has never lost a fumble, which is arguably his best trait coming into the NFL. We'll see where he winds up on the depth chart and if the Bears opt to add another veteran at some point, but Monangai has a chance to show something in a fairly thin running back room. It's not the pick Bears fans were hoping to see at running back when the draft started, but it's something. -- Brendan Sugrue
Highlights
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears 2025 draft pick profile: RB Kyle Monangai
Continue reading...
