Kenneth Gainwell vs Rico Dowdle: Who Should You Start?
The gap between Kenneth Gainwell and Rico Dowdle is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.7 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 PPG with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers across 17 games, and Rico Dowdle posted 11.6 with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 17.
When two running backs are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.
Kenneth Gainwell is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 73 targets into 486 yards, while Rico Dowdle profiles as a more traditional rusher with 1076 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Kenneth Gainwell carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.
Kenneth Gainwell has his bye in Week 11, and Rico Dowdle rests in Week 9. 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.
