Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

James Conner vs Kenneth GainwellWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Kenneth Gainwell's 10.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, James Conner and Kenneth Gainwell are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.1-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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RBArizona Cardinals#99PPG LEADER

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

RBPittsburgh Steelers#26

Kenneth Gainwell

PPG

10.9

Games

Rush Yds

537

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

James Conner

Kenneth Gainwell

Head to Head

11.0 PPG10.9 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: 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, James Conner is producing at 50% 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.

James Conner vs Kenneth Gainwell: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. James Conner finished the 2025 season at 11.0 PPG over 14 games with the Arizona Cardinals, while Kenneth Gainwell clocked in at 10.9 across 17 appearances for the Pittsburgh Steelers. A 0.1-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Kenneth Gainwell is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 73 targets into 486 yards, while James Conner profiles as a more traditional rusher with 752 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Kenneth Gainwell carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: James Conner is off Week 11 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

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: James Conner (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?

•James Conner outscored Kenneth Gainwell by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kenneth Gainwell played 17 games in 2025 compared to James Conner'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

James Conner vs Kenneth Gainwell: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Conner	Kenneth Gainwell
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	10.9
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	154	185
Rushing Yards	752	537
Rush Yds/Game	53.7	31.6
Rushing TDs	5	5
Receptions	28	73
Receiving Yards	218	486
Targets	0	85
Total TDs	6	8
Age	-	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 9

Summary

11.0 PPG for James Conner versus 10.9 for Kenneth Gainwell in 2025. The baseline favors James Conner, 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 James Conner or Kenneth Gainwell in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 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 James Conner and Kenneth Gainwell average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 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 0.1 points per game.

When are James Conner and Kenneth Gainwell's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11, and Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is James Conner or Kenneth Gainwell a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Kenneth Gainwell by 0.1 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.