The New York Giants aren’t going to fix everything in one offseason. But there’s no excuse to roll into September without reinforcements in the backfield. Tyrone Tracy Jr. showed flashes as a rookie, but this offense—especially with two bridge quarterbacks in the mix—needs a reliable, between-the-tackles presence who won’t blow up drives with turnovers or missed blocks.
That’s where Rutgers’ Kyle Monangai comes in. The in-state grinder led the Big Ten in rushing in 2023, posted back-to-back 1,200-yard seasons, and didn’t fumble once across 707 career touches. He’s not the fastest back in the class, and he’s not going to give you a ton on third down—but he’s built for early-down work and short-yardage duties. Think chain-mover with attitude.
If the Giants are serious about rebuilding the run game and taking pressure off whoever’s playing quarterback in 2025, Monangai is the kind of Day 3 pick who makes sense. Here’s our scouting profile on the former Scarlet Knight.
Rutgers RB Kyle Monangai 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Notes
- Height: 5-foot-9
- Weight: 209 pounds
- Recruiting: 2020 3-star, No. 1,965 national, No. 114 RB
- 2024 First-Team All-Big Ten, 2023 Big Ten Rushing Leader, 2023-24 Rutgers Athletics Junior of the Year, Two-Time Team Captain, Pinstripe Bowl MVP, Academic All-Big Ten (3x)
Positives
- Exceptional contact balance and dense lower half help him power through arm tackles and stay upright in tight spaces
- Footwork and vision between the tackles allow him to string cuts together in a phone booth
- Zero fumbles in over 700 touches highlight elite ball security and fundamental control
- Compact frame allows him to run behind his pads and fall forward on nearly every carry
Monangai doesn’t need a runway—he finds daylight even in heavy traffic. His ability to process front-seven movement and make sudden, decisive cuts makes him effective on inside zone and duo concepts. His frame and toughness allow him to bounce off contact and turn would-be tackles into positive gains.
He’s not built like your typical workhorse, but Rutgers fed him like one, and he thrived. In short-yardage or early-down situations where ball security and forward momentum matter most, Monangai delivers. He’ll carve out a niche early as a reliable RB2 with upside.
Negatives
- Lacks top-end speed and open-field burst—rarely breaks off long gains once he hits the second level
- Struggles to offer much on third downs due to limited receiving production and inconsistent pass protection
- Occasionally impatient as a runner—can abandon blocks prematurely instead of pressing for cutback lanes
The straight-line juice just isn’t there. Monangai can win between the tackles but won’t be a threat to take it to the house. That caps his explosive upside and limits his scheme versatility. He’s more slugger than sprinter.
He’s also behind the curve in passing situations—his blocking effort is there, but technique lapses pop up too often. And with only 38 catches in five years, it’s hard to envision him being trusted as a real receiving option out of the gate.
Kyle Monangai NFL Player Comparison:
- Primary Comp: Mark Ingram
- Alternative: James Conner
- Floor Comp: Benny Snell
Mark Ingram is the cleanest comp for Monangai—a compact, physical runner who thrives on contact balance, vision, and short-area burst. Like Ingram, Monangai won’t outrun secondaries, but his ability to stack cuts, fall forward through contact, and handle volume makes him built for early-down work.
James Conner reflects Monangai’s bruising, workhorse mentality with just enough wiggle to make defenders miss. Both backs bring toughness, red-zone reliability, and underrated lateral quickness despite lacking top-end speed.
Kyle Monangai 2025 NFL Draft Grade: 5th round
Kyle Monangai earns a solid fifth-round grade as a dependable early-down back with standout contact balance, vision, and ball security. He won’t offer much in the passing game or threaten defenses with long speed, but he’s a tough, efficient runner who can move the chains and wear down fronts in a committee role. For a Giants team looking to round out its backfield, Monangai brings immediate value and long-term reliability.