Monangai positioned to inherit lead role in 2027; veteran ahead is free agent after 2026.

Monangai is genuinely exciting heading into his second season in this run-heavy scheme. In the two games last year where he saw more than 15 carries, he was productive in both, including a strong 22-carry, 130-yard, one-touchdown effort against a good opponent. His role this year may be capped somewhat by a proven veteran back still ahead of him on the depth chart, but that veteran is a free agent after this season, positioning Monangai to inherit a much bigger role in 2027. This is framed as a buy-the-dip dynasty target now, with the real breakout more likely arriving next year, making him a strong in-season trade target specifically if his usage looks light early this season. One the source prefers him over the veteran ahead of him for any team not actively trying to win now, while the other ranks him even more aggressively, drawing a running-style comparison to a powerful, contact-shedding veteran back from years past and citing the head coach's reputation as one of the league's best run-game designers as reason for confidence regardless of exactly how the workload splits.

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