Jonathan Taylor vs Kenneth Gainwell: Who Should You Start?
Jonathan Taylor and Kenneth Gainwell are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Indianapolis Colts running back averaged 20.0 PPG in 2025, a full 9.1 points per game ahead of Kenneth Gainwell's 10.9 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.
A 9.1-PPG gap gives Jonathan Taylor the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.
Both are three-down backs with real passing-game roles. Jonathan Taylor caught 46 balls for 378 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.
Jonathan Taylor has his bye in Week 14, 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.
