Kenneth Gainwell vs Samaje Perine: The Full Breakdown
Kenneth Gainwell and Samaje Perine are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 PPG across 17 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Samaje Perine posted 6.5 PPG in 15 appearances for the Kansas City Chiefs.
A 4.4-PPG gap gives Kenneth Gainwell the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.
Kenneth Gainwell is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 73 targets into 486 yards, while Samaje Perine profiles as a more traditional rusher with 285 rushing yards and 2 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 9, and Samaje Perine rests in Week 6. 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.
