Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Kenneth Gainwell vs MarShawn LloydWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.9 PPG to MarShawn Lloyd's 6.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy play this season.

Kenneth Gainwell is the better play on a neutral week. 10.9 PPG with 1,023 yards gives a reliable baseline. MarShawn Lloyd at 6.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Kenneth Gainwell higher, but do not fade MarShawn Lloyd entirely.

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

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RBPittsburgh Steelers#26PPG LEADER

Kenneth Gainwell

PPG

10.9

Games

Rush Yds

537

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Bye

Week 9

RBGreen Bay Packers#99

MarShawn Lloyd

PPG

6.8

Games

Rush Yds

325

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

112

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Kenneth Gainwell

MarShawn Lloyd

Head to Head

10.9 PPG6.8 PPG

17 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Kenneth Gainwell: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #26 at the position). MarShawn Lloyd: 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 MarShawn Lloyd at 31%. That ranking gap means Kenneth Gainwell carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kenneth Gainwell vs MarShawn Lloyd: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Kenneth Gainwell and MarShawn Lloyd is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Pittsburgh Steelers running back put up 10.9 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; MarShawn Lloyd of the Green Bay Packers averaged 6.8 in 12. A 4.1-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.1 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 MarShawn Lloyd profiles as a more traditional rusher with 325 rushing yards and 3 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 MarShawn Lloyd Week 10. 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. MarShawn Lloyd 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. MarShawn Lloyd (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Kenneth Gainwell outscored MarShawn Lloyd by a projected 70 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kenneth Gainwell played 17 games in 2025 compared to MarShawn Lloyd'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 MarShawn Lloyd: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kenneth Gainwell	MarShawn Lloyd
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.9	6.8
Games Played	17	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	185	82
Rushing Yards	537	325
Rush Yds/Game	31.6	27.1
Rushing TDs	5	3
Receptions	73	16
Receiving Yards	486	112
Targets	85	0
Total TDs	8	3
Age	27	-
Experience	4 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 10

Summary

10.9 PPG for Kenneth Gainwell versus 6.8 for MarShawn Lloyd 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Kenneth Gainwell or MarShawn Lloyd in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kenneth Gainwell has the edge at 10.9 PPG compared to MarShawn Lloyd's 6.8 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 MarShawn Lloyd average in 2025?▾

Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. MarShawn Lloyd averaged 6.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 4.1 points per game.

When are Kenneth Gainwell and MarShawn Lloyd's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and MarShawn Lloyd (GB) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kenneth Gainwell or MarShawn Lloyd a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Kenneth Gainwell outscored MarShawn Lloyd by 4.1 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.