Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Kenneth GainwellWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.9 PPG to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy play this season.

Kenneth Gainwell is the better play on a neutral week. 10.9 PPG with 1,023 yards gives a reliable baseline. Jaleel McLaughlin at 6.9 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Kenneth Gainwell higher, but do not fade Jaleel McLaughlin entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Jaleel McLaughlin and Kenneth Gainwell in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

RBDenver Broncos#99

Jaleel McLaughlin

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

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

Jaleel McLaughlin

Kenneth Gainwell

Head to Head

6.9 PPG10.9 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Jaleel McLaughlin: 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, Jaleel McLaughlin is producing at 31% 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.

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Kenneth Gainwell: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Jaleel McLaughlin and Kenneth Gainwell is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Denver Broncos running back put up 6.9 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Kenneth Gainwell of the Pittsburgh Steelers averaged 10.9 in 17. A 4.0-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.0 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 Jaleel McLaughlin profiles as a more traditional rusher with 382 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Kenneth Gainwell carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jaleel McLaughlin 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

Kenneth Gainwell is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Jaleel McLaughlin is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Jaleel McLaughlin (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 Jaleel McLaughlin by a projected 68 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kenneth Gainwell played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jaleel McLaughlin'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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Kenneth Gainwell: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaleel McLaughlin	Kenneth Gainwell
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.9	10.9
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	185
Rushing Yards	382	537
Rush Yds/Game	25.5	31.6
Rushing TDs	2	5
Receptions	22	73
Receiving Yards	168	486
Targets	0	85
Total TDs	3	8
Age	-	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 9

Summary

10.9 PPG for Kenneth Gainwell versus 6.9 for Jaleel McLaughlin 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Jaleel McLaughlin vs Kenneth Gainwell

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Jaleel McLaughlin vs Kenneth Gainwell

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jaleel McLaughlin or Kenneth Gainwell in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kenneth Gainwell has the edge at 10.9 PPG compared to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 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 Jaleel McLaughlin and Kenneth Gainwell average in 2025?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 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 4.0 points per game.

When are Jaleel McLaughlin and Kenneth Gainwell's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN) 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 Jaleel McLaughlin or Kenneth Gainwell a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Kenneth Gainwell outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 4.0 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.