Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ashton Jeanty vs Kenneth GainwellWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ashton Jeanty is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.8 PPG to Kenneth Gainwell's 10.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ashton Jeanty is the better fantasy play this season.

Ashton Jeanty has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.9-PPG advantage is real (12.8 to 10.9), and Ashton Jeanty's 10 touchdowns show scoring upside. Kenneth Gainwell is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBLas Vegas Raiders#17PPG LEADER

Ashton Jeanty

PPG

12.8

Games

Rush Yds

975

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

346

Bye

Week 13

RBPittsburgh Steelers#26

Kenneth Gainwell

PPG

10.9

Games

Rush Yds

537

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Ashton Jeanty

Kenneth Gainwell

Head to Head

12.8 PPG10.9 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Ashton Jeanty: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #17 at the position). Kenneth Gainwell: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #26 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Ashton Jeanty is producing at 58% of elite pace and Kenneth Gainwell at 50%. That ranking gap means Ashton Jeanty carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Ashton Jeanty vs Kenneth Gainwell: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Ashton Jeanty (Las Vegas Raiders) finished the 2025 season averaging 12.8 fantasy points per game in 17 games. Kenneth Gainwell (Pittsburgh Steelers) came in at 10.9 PPG over 17 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Ashton Jeanty carries a 1.9-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both are three-down backs with real passing-game roles. Ashton Jeanty caught 55 balls for 346 yards, and Kenneth Gainwell hauled in 73 for 486. That receiving workload gives them high PPR floors even in games where the ground attack gets stuffed, and it is why both stay on the field in obvious passing situations.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Ashton Jeanty sits Week 13 while Kenneth Gainwell is off Week 9. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Ashton Jeanty (age 22) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Kenneth Gainwell (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Ashton Jeanty outscored Kenneth Gainwell by a projected 32 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ashton Jeanty scored 10 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Kenneth Gainwell caught 73 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Ashton Jeanty is 5 years younger than Kenneth Gainwell (22 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Ashton Jeanty vs Kenneth Gainwell: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ashton Jeanty	Kenneth Gainwell
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.8	10.9
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	218	185
Rushing Yards	975	537
Rush Yds/Game	57.4	31.6
Rushing TDs	5	5
Receptions	55	73
Receiving Yards	346	486
Targets	73	85
Total TDs	10	8
Age	22	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 9

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Ashton Jeanty holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.8 points per game. Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Ashton Jeanty or Kenneth Gainwell in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ashton Jeanty has the edge at 12.8 PPG compared to Kenneth Gainwell's 10.9 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Ashton Jeanty and Kenneth Gainwell average in 2025?▾

Ashton Jeanty averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.9 points per game.

When are Ashton Jeanty and Kenneth Gainwell's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ashton Jeanty (LV) has a bye in Week 13, and Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ashton Jeanty or Kenneth Gainwell a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Ashton Jeanty outscored Kenneth Gainwell by 1.9 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.