Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Kenneth Gainwell vs Kyren WilliamsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kyren Williams is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.4 PPG to Kenneth Gainwell's 10.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kyren Williams is the better fantasy play this season.

Kyren Williams is the better play on a neutral week. 14.4 PPG with 1,533 yards gives a reliable baseline. Kenneth Gainwell at 10.9 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Kyren Williams higher, but do not fade Kenneth Gainwell entirely.

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

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RBPittsburgh Steelers#26

Kenneth Gainwell

PPG

10.9

Games

Rush Yds

537

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Bye

Week 9

RBLos Angeles Rams#11PPG LEADER

Kyren Williams

PPG

14.4

Games

Rush Yds

1,252

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Kenneth Gainwell

Kyren Williams

Head to Head

10.9 PPG14.4 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Kenneth Gainwell: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #26 at the position). Kyren Williams: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #11 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Kenneth Gainwell is producing at 50% of elite pace and Kyren Williams at 65%. That ranking gap means Kyren Williams carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kenneth Gainwell vs Kyren Williams: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Kenneth Gainwell and Kyren Williams for your lineup, you are not alone. Kenneth Gainwell finished the 2025 season at 10.9 PPG for the Pittsburgh Steelers (17 games), and Kyren Williams averaged 14.4 for the Los Angeles Rams (17 games).

That 3.5-point weekly advantage for Kyren Williams is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Kenneth Gainwell is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 73 targets into 486 yards, while Kyren Williams profiles as a more traditional rusher with 1252 rushing yards and 10 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 Kyren Williams Week 11. 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

Kyren Williams is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Kenneth Gainwell 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. Kyren Williams (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Kyren Williams outscored Kenneth Gainwell by a projected 60 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kyren Williams scored 13 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 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 Kyren Williams: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kenneth Gainwell	Kyren Williams
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.9	14.4
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	185	245
Rushing Yards	537	1,252
Rush Yds/Game	31.6	73.6
Rushing TDs	5	10
Receptions	73	36
Receiving Yards	486	281
Targets	85	50
Total TDs	8	13
Age	27	25
Experience	4 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kyren Williams at 14.4 PPG, 3.5 points per game above Kenneth Gainwell's 10.9. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Kenneth Gainwell or Kyren Williams in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kyren Williams has the edge at 14.4 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 Kenneth Gainwell and Kyren Williams average in 2025?▾

Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Kyren Williams averaged 14.4 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 3.5 points per game.

When are Kenneth Gainwell and Kyren Williams's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Kenneth Gainwell or Kyren Williams a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Kyren Williams outscored Kenneth Gainwell by 3.5 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.