Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dylan Sampson vs Kenneth GainwellWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.9 PPG to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Kenneth Gainwell outscored Dylan Sampson by 6.2 PPG in 2025 with 8 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Kenneth Gainwell is the clear pick. Dylan Sampson profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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RBCleveland Browns#99

Dylan Sampson

PPG

4.7

Games

Rush Yds

175

Rec

Rec Yds

271

Bye

Week 10

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

Dylan Sampson

Kenneth Gainwell

Head to Head

4.7 PPG10.9 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Dylan Sampson: 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, Dylan Sampson is producing at 21% 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.

Dylan Sampson vs Kenneth Gainwell: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Kenneth Gainwell (Pittsburgh Steelers) averaged 10.9 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Dylan Sampson (Cleveland Browns, 4.7 PPG) by 6.2 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

The per-game difference of 6.2 points favors Kenneth Gainwell, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Kenneth Gainwell is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 73 targets into 486 yards, while Dylan Sampson profiles as a more traditional rusher with 175 rushing yards and undefined touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Kenneth Gainwell carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Dylan Sampson is off Week 10 and Kenneth Gainwell Week 9. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Kenneth Gainwell is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Dylan Sampson is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Dylan Sampson (age 21) 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?

•Kenneth Gainwell outscored Dylan Sampson by a projected 105 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kenneth Gainwell played 17 games in 2025 compared to Dylan Sampson's 15. 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.
•Dylan Sampson is 6 years younger than Kenneth Gainwell (21 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dylan Sampson vs Kenneth Gainwell: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dylan Sampson	Kenneth Gainwell
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	10.9
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	71	185
Rushing Yards	175	537
Rush Yds/Game	11.7	31.6
Rushing TDs	0	5
Receptions	33	73
Receiving Yards	271	486
Targets	40	85
Total TDs	2	8
Age	21	27
Experience	1 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 9

Summary

10.9 PPG for Kenneth Gainwell versus 4.7 for Dylan Sampson in 2025. The baseline favors Kenneth Gainwell, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Dylan Sampson or Kenneth Gainwell in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kenneth Gainwell has the edge at 10.9 PPG compared to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 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 Dylan Sampson and Kenneth Gainwell average in 2025?▾

Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 6.2 points per game.

When are Dylan Sampson and Kenneth Gainwell's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dylan Sampson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dylan Sampson or Kenneth Gainwell a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Kenneth Gainwell outscored Dylan Sampson by 6.2 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.