The Rutgers running back few fantasy managers had heard of a month ago is suddenly the hottest name on every waiver wire list.

Elandon Roberts shares why Raiders fans shouldn’t give up on 2025 season

The Raiders have had moments where the defense looks elite, and others where it looks like one of the league’s worst units. Meanwhile, the offense has not yet reached its potential due to a struggling offensive line, poor play from Geno Smith, and key injuries to Kolton Miller and Brock Bowers.

Despite the struggles, Roberts believes the team can still make a run, citing his experience with the Miami Dolphins back in 2021. Raiders.com’s Paul Gutierrez shared these comments from the tenth-year linebacker.

“Remember, I’m so optimistic, I was on a 1-7 Dolphins team that went to the playoffs [in 2021],” Roberts said. “I done been through it and this team is built, from a talent perspective to a mentality, better than that team was.”

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The 2021 Dolphins won seven straight games after starting 1-7, before splitting their final two matchups to finish 9-8. While Roberts claimed that they reached the postseason, they actually fell just short, as the Pittsburgh Steelers, who finished 9-7-1, earned the AFC’s final postseason spot.

Of course, starting 1-7 is much different than 2-4. While the Raiders have not given their fans much to be encouraged about, particularly with a tough schedule the rest of the way, a Week 7 upset win over the Kansas City Chiefs would do plenty to change that. Plus, they don’t have nearly the uphill climb that the Dolphins did.

Las Vegas is expected to be without Bowers in the tough road divisional matchup; however, if the defense is able to repeat the performance they had on Sunday, the Raiders could be tough for any team to beat.

As unlikely as a postseason run may seem to fans who have experienced the past 23 seasons, the locker room is maintaining the right mentality as the season approaches its midway point. Anything can happen on any given Sunday in the NFL, so Raider Nation should remain optimistic, at least for now.

Kyle Monangai, once buried beneath the radar of college football’s biggest programs, has erupted into relevance — and fantasy players who move fast this week could end up holding a league-winning weapon.

Monangai’s recent performances haven’t just been impressive; they’ve been defining. His blend of power, patience, and breakaway speed has drawn comparisons to a young Maurice Jones-Drew. In Rutgers’ Week 7 showdown, his 140-yard, two-touchdown explosion left defensive coordinators scrambling — and fantasy GMs scrambling faster.

The rise of Monangai feels like more than a statistical trend; it’s the story of perseverance. Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano has long praised the junior back’s “relentless motor,” a quality that now mirrors the grind of fantasy managers desperate for running back depth amid mounting injuries across the league.

“He doesn’t flinch,” Schiano told reporters postgame. “He’s built for the tough carries — and built for big moments.” That attitude is exactly what’s catching the attention of fans looking for stability in a chaotic season defined by unpredictable injuries and underperforming stars.

Fantasy analysts agree: Monangai might not just be a one-week wonder. His workload continues to climb, his offensive line is creating lanes, and Rutgers’ upcoming schedule is favorable. In short, he checks every box a fantasy breakout should.

On social media, fans are calling him a “goldmine” and “this year’s Kyren Williams,” invoking memories of last year’s unexpected league winner. Others are posting clips of his bruising runs under captions like “I told y’all to stash him.” It’s the modern fantasy ecosystem — equal parts adrenaline, analytics, and bragging rights.

Still, the key is timing. By Tuesday morning, the managers who stayed alert overnight will have already claimed Monangai. By the weekend, they may be reaping the rewards of a running back who went from waiver-wire filler to championship cornerstone.

The message is clear: don’t sleep on Kyle Monangai. His story isn’t just about stats — it’s about being ready to seize the moment when opportunity bursts through the line of scrimmage.