Isiah Pacheco vs Kenneth Gainwell: Who Should You Start?
Deciding between Isiah Pacheco and Kenneth Gainwell is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Detroit Lions running back put up 6.0 PPG in 2025 over 13 games; Kenneth Gainwell of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers averaged 10.9 in 17. A 4.9-point margin that could shift on any given week.
The per-game difference of 4.9 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 Isiah Pacheco profiles as a more traditional rusher with 462 rushing yards and 1 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Kenneth Gainwell carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.
Isiah Pacheco has his bye in Week 5, and Kenneth Gainwell rests in Week 11. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.
