Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaylen Warren vs Kenneth GainwellWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Warren is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.3 PPG to Kenneth Gainwell's 10.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaylen Warren is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Jaylen Warren edges Kenneth Gainwell by 1.4 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Jaylen Warren goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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RBPittsburgh Steelers#18PPG LEADER

Jaylen Warren

PPG

12.3

Games

Rush Yds

958

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

333

Bye

Week 9

RBPittsburgh Steelers#26

Kenneth Gainwell

PPG

10.9

Games

Rush Yds

537

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Jaylen Warren

Kenneth Gainwell

Head to Head

12.3 PPG10.9 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Warren: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #18 at the position). Kenneth Gainwell: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #26 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jaylen Warren is producing at 56% of elite pace and Kenneth Gainwell at 50%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Warren carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaylen Warren vs Kenneth Gainwell: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.4 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Jaylen Warren averaged 12.3 PPG with the Pittsburgh Steelers across 16 games, and Kenneth Gainwell posted 10.9 with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 17.

When two running backs are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both are three-down backs with real passing-game roles. Jaylen Warren caught 40 balls for 333 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.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 9 bye. That means you need a backup plan at running back for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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: Jaylen Warren (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?

•Jaylen Warren outscored Kenneth Gainwell by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kenneth Gainwell played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jaylen Warren's 16. That durability gap means Kenneth Gainwell contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jaylen Warren 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.
•Both players share a Week 9 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jaylen Warren vs Kenneth Gainwell: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaylen Warren	Kenneth Gainwell
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.3	10.9
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	197	185
Rushing Yards	958	537
Rush Yds/Game	59.9	31.6
Rushing TDs	6	5
Receptions	40	73
Receiving Yards	333	486
Targets	45	85
Total TDs	8	8
Age	27	27
Experience	3 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 9

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jaylen Warren holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.3 points per game. Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 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 Jaylen Warren or Kenneth Gainwell in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Warren has the edge at 12.3 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 Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell average in 2025?▾

Jaylen Warren averaged 12.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.4 points per game.

Do Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell share a Week 9 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

Is Jaylen Warren or Kenneth Gainwell a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jaylen Warren outscored Kenneth Gainwell by 1.4 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.