Kyle Monangai or Pat Freiermuth: Who Should You Start?
2026 Week 2 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.
Freiermuth's steadier role narrowly beats Monangai's better game script
Freiermuth gets the narrow edge because his TE1 receiving role is more bankable than Monangai's complementary work, even though Pittsburgh's lower scoring environment suppresses the ceiling. Monangai has the better script and breakaway profile, but the Swift-led backfield limits his floor, while his new hamstring listing adds real risk [NBC Sports 2026-09-17]. Freiermuth's reliable hands and red-zone size preserve a touchdown path, though New England's difficult tight-end matchup keeps this from becoming a confident start. Both are board sits; Freiermuth is simply the better fallback after the model's close call.
What flips it: Monangai practicing fully and reclaiming a larger share of Chicago's backfield.
Sources: NBC Sports · Sep 17, 2026 · SI.com (Steelers On SI) · Sep 17, 2026
AI editor
In standard and half-PPR scoring this is a coin flip.
Kyle Monangai
8.49.19.8 Projected Points
Pat Freiermuth
4.46.48.5 Projected Points
Kyle Monangai’s market
Pat Freiermuth’s market
Why Kyle Monangai
Sit· mediumRB2 and complementary early-down back. Compact, decisive downhill runner with productive rookie-year workload.
RB36 projection in a committee behind Swift, a top-5 toughest RB matchup, and a new hamstring limitation — too many strikes for a flex.
- His downhill style and Chicago's positive script create the game's clearest breakaway route.
- The Swift-led committee makes last week's splash harder to treat as a repeatable workload [NBC Sports 2026-09-17].
The call
- Minnesota's defense-vs-RB composite ranks 5 of 32 (32 = softest), one of the harshest run funnels on the board, and the consensus has him at RB36 with 9.8 projected PPR points — replacement-level flex territory.
- Role is capped: 43% snap share and an 8% target share behind Swift mean the Week 1 line (10 carries, 100 yards, 61-yard TD) was boom-driven, not volume-driven.
- New hamstring listing with limited Wednesday and Thursday practices adds workload risk even with no official designation; a banged-up committee back in a tough matchup is a bench.
- Chicago being favored by 3.5 with a 24.5 implied total is the one argument for him — if Swift were downgraded before kickoff, Monangai flips to a start.
Latest on Monangai
Monangai had 10 carries for 100 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown run, plus two catches for 24 yards in Week 1, showing significant involvement behind Swift in the backfield.
NBC Sports · Sep 17, 2026Monangai was newly listed on the Week 2 injury report with a hamstring injury and was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday.
NBC Sports · Sep 17, 2026When even the "little guys" are getting a hat on a hat, it's that much easier to post 59 points and over 500 yards.
Kwity Paye had a dream debut for the Las Vegas Raiders in one of the standout performances of the first week of the NFL.
D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai picked up right where they left off last season Sunday against the Panthers, both running for 100-plus yards, marking the first time since 1980 and only the eighth time in NFL history that a team had two players rush for at least 100 yards in their season opener.
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Why Pat Freiermuth
SitTE1 in pass-catching role. Reliable chain-mover with red-zone size and dependable hands.
Sit — bench-tier TE at consensus TE24: NE is the 2nd-toughest matchup vs TEs, 14% target share.
- A primary-target role gives him a sturdier floor than his low team total suggests [SI.com (Steelers On SI) 2026-09-17].
- Red-zone size keeps a touchdown path alive, but New England's matchup narrows the margin.
Latest on Freiermuth
Freiermuth is positioned to remain a primary target in Week 2 after catching all five of his targets for 46 yards and the offense's only touchdown in Week 1, especially if Pittman is limited or out.
SI.com (Steelers On SI) · Sep 17, 2026Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Head-to-head stats
| Metric | Kyle Monangai | Pat Freiermuth |
|---|---|---|
| Projected points | 8.49.19.8 | 4.46.48.5 |
| Consensus rank | RB36 | TE24 |
| Opponent vs position | MIN · 5 of 321-game sample | NE · 2 of 321-game sample |
| Rushing Yards | 11 of 32 | — |
| Rushing TDs | 1 of 32 | — |
| Rushing Attempts | 13 of 32 | — |
| Receptions | 1 of 32 | 2 of 32 |
| Receiving Yards | 2 of 32 | 2 of 32 |
| Anytime TD | 1 of 32 | 1 of 32 |
| Receiving TDs | — | 1 of 32 |
| Targets | — | 2 of 32 |
| Target share | 8% | 14% |
| Reception share | 10% | 21% |
| Implied total · spread | 24.5-3.5 | 19.5+4.5 |
| Depth chart | RB2 | TE2 |
| Snap share | 43% | 73% |
Recent form
Kyle Monangai — last 1 week
| Week 1 | vs CAR | 18.419.420.4 |
Pat Freiermuth — last 1 week
| Week 1 | vs ATL | 10.613.115.6 |
Signal breakdown
- 9.8 vs 8.5 projected PPR pointsKyle Monangai +
- Rank 36 vs 24Pat Freiermuth +
- Opponent DvP rank 5 vs 2 (32 = softest)even
- Implied 24.5 vs 19.5 team pointsKyle Monangai +
- No injury designationseven
- 43% vs 73% snap sharePat Freiermuth +
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