Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Kenneth Gainwell vs Sam LaPortaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.9 PPG to Sam LaPorta's 9.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Kenneth Gainwell (10.9 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Sam LaPorta (9.7 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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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

TEDetroit Lions#7

Sam LaPorta

PPG

9.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Kenneth Gainwell

Sam LaPorta

Head to Head

10.9 PPG9.7 PPG

17 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Kenneth Gainwell: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #26 at the position). Sam LaPorta: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #7 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE in most league formats.

Kenneth Gainwell vs Sam LaPorta: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Kenneth Gainwell (RB, Pittsburgh Steelers) against Sam LaPorta (TE, Detroit Lions) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 PPG in 2025 over 17 games, while Sam LaPorta posted 9.7 PPG across 9 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Kenneth Gainwell has his bye in Week 9, Sam LaPorta in Week 6. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Kenneth Gainwell (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Sam LaPorta (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Kenneth Gainwell outscored Sam LaPorta by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kenneth Gainwell played 17 games in 2025 compared to Sam LaPorta's 9. 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 Sam LaPorta: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kenneth Gainwell	Sam LaPorta
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.9	9.7
Games Played	17	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	185	87
Rushing Yards	537	0
Rush Yds/Game	31.6	0.0
Rushing TDs	5	0
Receptions	73	40
Receiving Yards	486	489
Targets	85	49
Total TDs	8	3
Age	27	25
Experience	4 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 6

Summary

Kenneth Gainwell outscored Sam LaPorta by 1.2 PPG in 2025 (10.9 to 9.7). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Kenneth Gainwell or Sam LaPorta in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kenneth Gainwell has the edge at 10.9 PPG compared to Sam LaPorta's 9.7 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 Sam LaPorta average in 2025?▾

Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Sam LaPorta averaged 9.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

When are Kenneth Gainwell and Sam LaPorta's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Sam LaPorta (DET) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.