Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Kenneth Gainwell vs Nick ChubbWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.9 PPG to Nick Chubb's 5.5 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 Nick Chubb by 5.4 PPG in 2025 with 8 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Kenneth Gainwell is the clear pick. Nick Chubb 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.

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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

RBHouston Texans#59

Nick Chubb

PPG

5.5

Games

Rush Yds

506

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Kenneth Gainwell

Nick Chubb

Head to Head

10.9 PPG5.5 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Kenneth Gainwell: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #26 at the position). Nick Chubb: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #59 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Kenneth Gainwell is producing at 50% of elite pace and Nick Chubb at 25%. That ranking gap means Kenneth Gainwell carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kenneth Gainwell vs Nick Chubb: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Kenneth Gainwell and Nick Chubb for your lineup, you are not alone. Kenneth Gainwell finished the 2025 season at 10.9 PPG for the Pittsburgh Steelers (17 games), and Nick Chubb averaged 5.5 for the Houston Texans (15 games).

That 5.4-point weekly advantage for Kenneth Gainwell 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 Nick Chubb profiles as a more traditional rusher with 506 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Kenneth Gainwell sits Week 9 while Nick Chubb is off Week 8. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Kenneth Gainwell is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Nick Chubb 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. Nick Chubb (age 30, 7 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Kenneth Gainwell outscored Nick Chubb by a projected 92 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kenneth Gainwell played 17 games in 2025 compared to Nick Chubb's 15. 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 Nick Chubb: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kenneth Gainwell	Nick Chubb
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.9	5.5
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	185	83
Rushing Yards	537	506
Rush Yds/Game	31.6	33.7
Rushing TDs	5	3
Receptions	73	13
Receiving Yards	486	67
Targets	85	20
Total TDs	8	3
Age	27	30
Experience	4 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kenneth Gainwell at 10.9 PPG, 5.4 points per game above Nick Chubb's 5.5. 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 Nick Chubb in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kenneth Gainwell has the edge at 10.9 PPG compared to Nick Chubb's 5.5 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 Nick Chubb average in 2025?▾

Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Nick Chubb averaged 5.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 5.4 points per game.

When are Kenneth Gainwell and Nick Chubb's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Nick Chubb (HOU) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kenneth Gainwell or Nick Chubb a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Kenneth Gainwell outscored Nick Chubb by 5.4 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.