The Chicago Bears went offense to close out the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting former Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai. Bears general manager Ryan Poles said after the draft that their mission was to add speed.
He was specifically referring to their defense, but that is still notable for Monangai, who scored among the worst in Kent Lee Platte’s “Raw Athletic Score” system.
What he was in college was productive.
Bears GM Ryan Poles Overlooked Analytics With RB Kyle Monangai
Bears RB Kyle Monangai Produces
“Kyle Monangai was drafted in round 7 pick 233 in the 2025 draft class,” Platte posted on X on April 26. “He scored a 4.03 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1259 out of 2106 RB from 1987 to 2025.”
“Physical, tough runner. High, high, high, football and personal character. We believe he can come in and compete,” Poles told reporters on April 26. “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.”
A fifth-year senior, Monangai rushed for 2,541 yards and 21 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Rutgers.
He was lightly used but still posted 22 receptions for 153 yards and 1 TD in that span and could provide a solid complement to incumbent RB1 D’Andre Swift, along with Roschon Johnson.
What Draft Experts Say About Bears RB Kyle Monangai
ESPN’s Steve Muench echoed Poles’ sentiments about Monangai’s physicality, noting the back’s compact build and that he stays “behind his pads and delivers blows” as a runner.
“He drives his legs and carries defenders for extra yards. He can stick his foot in the ground and get upfield. He’s quicker than fast, accelerating through seams between the tackles,” Muench wrote pre-draft. “Monangai makes defenders miss without losing much momentum. He’s a reliable check-down option who can pick up yards after the catch. He set the Rutgers record for most touches without a fumble.”
Monangai’s lack of fumbles in college is arguably his most impressive claim.
“Monangai is a dependable runner and pass protector who never lost a fumble in college,” NFL.com’s Eric Edholm wrote. “His speed is sub-par, but he runs hard and efficiently in tight spaces.”
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Monangai as RB20 and outside the top 100 prospects of the class.
“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,” Brugler wrote on April 9.
“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.”
Brugler gave Monangai a fourth-to-fifth-round grade, making him a draft steal.