The Chicago Bears had a solid 2025 NFL Draft with great pickups like Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III within the first two rounds. One Day 3 pick, though, isn't getting quite the attention that he deserves.
Bleacher Report writer Damian Parson included Bears' seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai as one of the six rookies being overlooked who could create buzz during training camp. D'Andre Swift's struggles in 2024 opened the door for Monangai to earn some playing time.
"The Rutgers product back brings elusiveness, downhill toughness, ball security and a low center of gravity to the Chicago offense.
Swift is now with the Bears and should be safe for now, but the RB2 position appears to be an open competition. Monangai's scheme versatility provides Johnson with a ball-carrier who can run both gap and zone concepts. He dialed up both concepts with Gibbs and David Montgomery with the Lions.
Monangai's low-pad level and contact balance makes him an effective downhill runner.
The 23-year-old is a devastating pass protector and will decleat free-running LBs to keep his quarterback clean in the pocket, but training camp is the place where he needs to stack days as a runner, receiver and blocker.
Monangai is a forgotten late-round pick who can carve out a significant role heading into the 2025 NFL season."
Can Monangai realistically overtake Swift as the Bears' starting running back in 2025?
In each of the last two seasons with Rutgers, Monangai racked up over 1,200 yards and at least eight touchdowns. He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2023 and first-team All-Big Ten honors last season.
Last year was not great for Swift who was entering his first season with the Bears. He finished with 959 yards and six touchdowns on the ground, while producing a career-low 3.8 yards per carry (the first time in his career to be less than four yards per carry).
Monangai also has to face off against Roschon Johnson and Travis Homer for playing time. Homer feels like he could be on the outside looking in for a spot on the 53-man roster. Johnson has disappointed through his first two seasons with Chicago.
It feels like a bit of a long shot to start, but Monangai can easily make the roster and win the backup job. His skill set is a perfect complementary piece to what Swift can do in the running game.
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Chicago hopes to have a draft steal out of Monangai, and he can produce big plays in his rookie season.