Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs Kenneth GainwellWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.9 PPG to Austin Ekeler's 9.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy play this season.

Kenneth Gainwell has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.9-PPG advantage is real (10.9 to 9.0), and Kenneth Gainwell's 8 touchdowns show scoring upside. Austin Ekeler 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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RBWashington Commanders#99

Austin Ekeler

PPG

9.0

Games

Rush Yds

425

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

360

Bye

Week 14

RBPittsburgh Steelers#26PPG LEADER

Kenneth Gainwell

PPG

10.9

Games

Rush Yds

537

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Kenneth Gainwell

Head to Head

9.0 PPG10.9 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Kenneth Gainwell: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #26 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Austin Ekeler is producing at 41% of elite pace and Kenneth Gainwell at 50%. That ranking gap means Kenneth Gainwell carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Ekeler vs Kenneth Gainwell: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Austin Ekeler (Washington Commanders) finished the 2025 season averaging 9.0 fantasy points per game in 14 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.

Kenneth Gainwell 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. Austin Ekeler caught 45 balls for 360 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: Austin Ekeler sits Week 14 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: Austin Ekeler (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Kenneth Gainwell (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Kenneth Gainwell outscored Austin Ekeler by a projected 32 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kenneth Gainwell played 17 games in 2025 compared to Austin Ekeler's 14. That durability gap means Kenneth Gainwell contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Kenneth Gainwell scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Austin Ekeler vs Kenneth Gainwell: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Kenneth Gainwell
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	10.9
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	185
Rushing Yards	425	537
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	31.6
Rushing TDs	3	5
Receptions	45	73
Receiving Yards	360	486
Targets	0	85
Total TDs	5	8
Age	-	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 9

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Kenneth Gainwell holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 10.9 points per game. Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 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 Austin Ekeler or Kenneth Gainwell in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kenneth Gainwell has the edge at 10.9 PPG compared to Austin Ekeler's 9.0 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 Austin Ekeler and Kenneth Gainwell average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.9 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and Kenneth Gainwell's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler (WAS) has a bye in Week 14, and Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Ekeler or Kenneth Gainwell a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Kenneth Gainwell outscored Austin Ekeler 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.