Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Kenneth Gainwell vs Khalil HerbertWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.9 PPG to Khalil Herbert's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Kenneth Gainwell outscored Khalil Herbert by 5.1 PPG in 2025 with 8 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Kenneth Gainwell is the clear pick. Khalil Herbert profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Kenneth Gainwell and Khalil Herbert in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

RBPittsburgh Steelers#26PPG LEADER

Kenneth Gainwell

PPG

10.9

Games

Rush Yds

537

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Bye

Week 9

RBCincinnati Bengals#99

Khalil Herbert

PPG

5.8

Games

Rush Yds

248

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Kenneth Gainwell

Khalil Herbert

Head to Head

10.9 PPG5.8 PPG

17 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Kenneth Gainwell: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #26 at the position). Khalil Herbert: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Kenneth Gainwell is producing at 50% of elite pace and Khalil Herbert at 26%. That ranking gap means Kenneth Gainwell carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kenneth Gainwell vs Khalil Herbert: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Kenneth Gainwell and Khalil Herbert is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Pittsburgh Steelers running back put up 10.9 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Khalil Herbert of the Cincinnati Bengals averaged 5.8 in 12. A 5.1-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 5.1 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 Khalil Herbert profiles as a more traditional rusher with 248 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.

One scheduling note: Kenneth Gainwell is off Week 9 and Khalil Herbert Week 12. 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

Kenneth Gainwell is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Khalil Herbert is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Kenneth Gainwell (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Khalil Herbert (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Kenneth Gainwell outscored Khalil Herbert by a projected 87 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kenneth Gainwell played 17 games in 2025 compared to Khalil Herbert's 12. 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

Kenneth Gainwell vs Khalil Herbert: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kenneth Gainwell	Khalil Herbert
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.9	5.8
Games Played	17	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	185	70
Rushing Yards	537	248
Rush Yds/Game	31.6	20.7
Rushing TDs	5	2
Receptions	73	12
Receiving Yards	486	85
Targets	85	0
Total TDs	8	2
Age	27	-
Experience	4 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 12

Summary

10.9 PPG for Kenneth Gainwell versus 5.8 for Khalil Herbert 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 Kenneth Gainwell vs Khalil Herbert

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 Kenneth Gainwell vs Khalil Herbert

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 Kenneth Gainwell or Khalil Herbert in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kenneth Gainwell has the edge at 10.9 PPG compared to Khalil Herbert's 5.8 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 Kenneth Gainwell and Khalil Herbert average in 2025?▾

Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 5.1 points per game.

When are Kenneth Gainwell and Khalil Herbert's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Khalil Herbert (CIN) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kenneth Gainwell or Khalil Herbert a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Kenneth Gainwell outscored Khalil Herbert by 5.1 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.